Despite his limited means, he secured through Goddard and Angell of Baltimore the publication of the first almanac produced in this country.

Jefferson received from Banneker a copy, for which he wrote the author a letter of thanks.

It appears that Jefferson had some doubts about the man's genius, but the fact that the philosopher invited Banneker to visit him at Monticello in 1803, indicates that the increasing reputation of the Negro must have caused Jefferson to change his opinion as to the extent of Banneker's attainments and the value of his contributions to mathematics and science.[3] [Footnote 1: Washington, _Jefferson's Works_, vol.v., p.

429.] [Footnote 2: Baldwin, _Observations_, etc., p.

16.] [Footnote 3: Washington, _Jefferson's Works_, vol.v., p.