It is not therefore, we would repeat, on the ground of any intrinsic inferiority in the African race, that we think they should be separated from the whites, but
Operations of Mind and those of Sense.’ He also distinguished himself in mathematics. In an account of his life published by the Academic Council, his integrity, talents, industry, and erudition are very highly commended. Francis Williams, a negro, born in Jamaica, was educated in the University of Cambridge, England: he opened a school in Jamaica for instruction in Latin and mathematics, and wrote many pieces in Latin verse, which discovered talents of a good order. Phillis Wheatley, who was born in Africa, torn from her country at the age of seven, and in 1761 sold to John Wheatley, of Boston, United States. Allowed to employ herself in study, she rapidly attained a knowledge of the Latin language. In 1772, at the age of nineteen, and still a slave, she published a volume of religious and moral poetry, which passed through several editions on both sides the Atlantic. She obtained her freedom in 1775, and died five years afterwards. Thomas Fuller, a native African, resident for some time near Alexandria, in the District of Columbia, although unable to read or write, was an extraordinary example of quickness in reckoning. Being asked, in company, for the purpose of trying his powers, how many seconds a person had lived who was seventy years, seven months, and seven days old, — 0 answered correctly in a minute and a — half. On reckoning it up after him, a different result was obtained by the company. ‘Have you not forgotten the leap years?’ said the negro. These they had forgotten: the omission being supplied, the answer was found to be right. This account was given by Dr. Rush, when Fuller was seventy years old. Benjamin Bannaker, a negro of Maryland, applied himself to Astronomy with so much success that he published almanacs in Philadelphia for the years 1794 and 1795. James Derham was once a slave in Philadelphia. In 1788, at the age of twenty-one, he became the most distinguished physician in New Orleans. ‘I conversed with him on medicine,‘ says Dr. Rush, ‘and found him very learned; I thought I could give him information concerning the treatment of diseases, but I learned more from him than he could expect from me.’ Boerhaave and De Haen have given strong testimony to the medical skill of not a few blacks. Several are mentioned as having been very dexterous surgeons. Joseph Rachel, a free negro of Barbadoes, was another Howard. Having become rich by commerce, he devoted all his property to charitable
