Phillis Wheatley..and American Poet

I was 15 and my english teacher gave me the writings of Phillis Wheatley. I read them and read them again. Phillis's poetry gave me a glimpse into the sharp, clear thinking of African American during here time. The images and sterotypes of blacks stand in total contrast to this women. She was an excellent writer,George Washington himself fell in love with her poetry. In 1776, Phillis wrote a poem and a letter to Washington, who praised her efforts and invited her to visit.On contrats Jefferson could not even spell her name right, and showed more disdain for Phillis’ writing; when in his Notes on the State of Virginia, he remarked, "Religion indeed has produced a Phyllis Whately, but it could not produce a poet. In may of 1968 one of the poem's by Phillis Wheatley brought $68,500 at Christie's auction, Rockefeller Center in New York. It had been estimated to bring between $18,000 and $25,000. The poem is titled "Ocean"; its seventy lines were written on three pages that had yellowed with time. It is thought to be the only copy.
One poem which I have read alot, because it seem's very non pc, and almost worshipping of white sophistication. I am not sure what Phylis may have thought.But in any way it gave me a glimpse of her heart and mind at the time.

On being brought from A F R I C A to
A M E R I CA.

'T WAS mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew,
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train

A Poem by.....Phillis Wheatley