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Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson: Callender's historic accusatory letter...
Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson: Callender's historic accusatory letter...
Item # 712990
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September 21, 1802
WINDSOR FEDERAL GAZETTE, Vermont Sept. 21, 1802 Pages 1 and 2 have much content on the feud between Thomas Jefferson and James Callender. See the note below for the background on their troubled history with one another.
Page 2 has a letter from Richmond, dated Sept 2, 1802, signed by James Callender, that notes in part: "Sir, I am extremely tired of these long stories...attempting to show that Mr. Jefferson disapproved of the contents of 'The Prospect' and that he paid me these hundred dollars without being aware what kind of a book it was to be...".
It continues on and includes a very dramatic statement: "...Sally's business makes a prodigious noise here. You may save yourself the trouble of a moment's doubt in believing the story. But what will you pious countrymen upon the Connecticut say to such African amours? After this discovery I do not believe that, at the next election of 1804, Jefferson could obtain two votes on the Eastern side of Susquehanna; and I think hardly four on this side of it. He will, therefore, be laid aside...".
The key content, without question, is the report on page 2 of Callender's "Sally" accusation, obliquely referenced above. Taken from the now infamous report in the Richmond Recorder, Calender's newspaper, it begins: "It is well known that the man, whom it delighteth the people to honor, keeps, and for many years has kept, as his concubine, one of his own slaves. Her name is Sally. The name of her eldest son is Tom. His features are said to bear a striking although sable resemblance to those of the president himself. The boy is ten or twelve years of age. His mother went to France in the same vessel with Mr. Jefferson and his two daughters. The delicacy of this arrangement must strike every person of common sensibility. What a sublime pattern for an American ambassador to place before the eyes of two young ladies!..." with more.
The "Sally" discussion in this letter includes details that mention Jefferson having had several children by her: "...By this wench Sally, our President has had several children. There is not an individual in the neighbourhood of Charlottesville who does not believe the story...".
Callender's letter concludes with a pointed challenge to Jefferson: "...The allegation is of a nature too black to be suffered to remain in suspense. We should be glad to hear of its refutation. We give it to the world under the firmest belief that such a refutation never can be made. The African Venus is said to officiate as housekeeper at Monticello. When Mr. Jefferson has read this article, he will find leisure to estimate how much has been lost or gained by so many unprovoked attacks upon J. T. CALLENDER."
See the photos for the complete Callender letter.
Four pages never bound nor trimmed, very nice condition.
The content above requires a backdrop of knowledge on one of the more interesting figures in early American politics.
James Callender was one of America's earliest "scandalmongers". A political journalist, his writings were often controversial. He curried favor with Republican interests early on, landing a job with Benjamin Franklin Bache’s newspaper, the Aurora General Advertiser. Firing darts at Federalists like Washington, Adams, and Hamilton made him good friends with Republicans like Jefferson. In fact, Jefferson called Callender “a man of genius”.
He became a central figure in the press wars between the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties. Pleased with Callender's attacks on his rivals Hamilton & Adams, Jefferson viewed him as journalistic ally, even supporting Callender financially.
But Callender's attack on President Adams had him jailed under the Sedition Act. But after Jefferson won the presidency he pardoned Callender, who then solicited employment as a postmaster which he felt was owed him by Jefferson. Jefferson denied it.Callender then began publishing existing rumors claiming President Jefferson had children with slave Sally Hemings, the letter in this issue undoubtedly the most notable.
Category: Pre-Civil War
No Longer Available
