Jefferson Writings

Even though some people believe that the main reason for Thomas Jefferson’s defense of Native Americans lies in his defense of America, he pointed out many valid points to assist in the understanding of the Native American people in light of the many stigmas placed on them by many Europeans, like Count Buffon and William Byrd. Jefferson dissects each piece of the critics’ argument against Native Americans and justifies them and places them in a positive light. Jefferson’s motive behind this was most likely to continue to promote his idea of natural equality (which was a thematic phrase in his argument) and in promoting that idea, he most likely realized that he could not exclude different ethnic groups. Jefferson took an educational/scientific approach to argument; he used intelligent and rational reasoning to prove his points, such as the numerous charts. He wanted to clearly distinguish his argument as being one of careful and intellectual foundation as opposed to the many opinionated arguments (which he disdainfully compares to Aesop’s fables) of his peers.
It was interesting to see how the Jefferson and Buffon differed in their belief of how the Native Americans became the way they are. Buffon that it was nature, while on the contrary, Jefferson preached circumstance. Buffon says, “Nature, by refusing him the power of love, has treated him worse and lowered him deeper than any animal.” Buffon has personified Nature into making it seem as if it is of some Godly force, which has the power to dictate whom gets what characteristics. In his eyes, Nature has dehumanized the Native Americans . Buffon’s view also matches up to Byrd’s description of his travel through Carolina. In Byrd’s more intimate account of his travel (The Secret History of the Line), there are continuous examples of the lusts and sexual ardor of the Englishmen as they encounter women. These are the examples of the fervor that Buffon calls natural to the European man and believes sets the Europeans apart and above the Native Americans. He says “They lack ardor for their females…their heart is icy…they look upon women as beasts of burden…and this indifference to the other sex is the fundamental defect which weakens their nature…”