September 10th 2011
Evans Asumadu
English 101
Prof Chocos
Declaration of Independence
After a thorough review of Jefferson’s rough draft and final versions of the
Declaration of Independence. It becomes quiet obvious that both the original version and
final version viewpoints the same cause that’s freedom and justice for all Americans.
Both versions also discusses the unalienable rights of man “all men are created equal; that
they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; among which are the
preservation of life, and liberty and the pursuit of happiness” 2nd paragraph draft
Declaration of Independence. Jefferson goes on to argue that unalienable rights should be
protected and secured by the government not to be altered.
Despite major similarities in the rough draft and final versions, there seemed to be
some omissions from the final version of the declaration of independence. One difference
in the two versions was how Jefferson replaced fellow-subjects with fellow-citizens in the
rough draft, which I believe was a way to shun the idea of dependence of these colonies
to independence in satisfactory way. Also, Jefferson’s in the original draft did not include
king Gorge, but brought it up in the final version. “He has reserved our fellow Citizens
taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the
executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands” This
meticulous charge against King George does not emerge in the rough draft.
One particular and obvious omission was the issue of slavery, which was excluded
from the final version of the Declaration of Independence. I believe Jefferson
contradicted himself by arguing for equality for all people in the original draft but failed
to raise the issue about slavery in the final version of the declaration of Independence.
Although Jefferson believed there should be equality for all, he was skeptic to include the
biggest inequality issue about slavery that was happening at that time period. not bold
enough to make it a point in the final version of the declaration this equality he talks
about.
It is in this context that, Banneker a knowledgeable free slave who had longed
for a time, where the issue of equality for all will be acknowledged. His letter to
Jefferson basically showed signs of anxiety and unsettlement. Banneker in his letter
applauded Jefferson for his “sentiments” towards the people of his race and color.
In addition to, Benjamin Banneker’s letter to Jefferson also talks about how
equality for all will be such of a great importance to his people, “Sir, how pitiable is it
to reflect, that although you were so fully convinced of the benevolence of the Father
of Mankind, and of his equal and impartial distribution of these rights and
privileges, which he hath conferred upon them, that you should at the same time
counteract his mercies, in detaining by fraud and violence so numerous a part of my
brethren” However, I believe Jefferson was phony in his actions and choice of words.
Banneker reproved Jefferson for the use of slavery, which was all opposite of what
Jefferson believed and supposedly stood for that “all men are created equal.”
After reading Jefferson’s draft and final version of the declaration of
independence and Banneker’s letter to Jefferson, it is becomes obvious that
Jefferson could not stand to defend the things he believed in considering the original
draft and the final version of the Declaration of Independence. Moreover, this also
shows the treatment of African Americans as slaves as completely unjust and a
perfect example of inequality in society at the time period. There is no disputable
argument for the people of this time not to see such blatant injustice to a certain
group of people.
The declaration of Independence benefited and favored the majority of the
wealthy and ignored the people who were mostly in need of change. The issue of
unalienable rights for all was excluded because; People of this time period believed
in equality for a certain group of human beings not all humans.