Lot 551

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Description:

Most unusual handwritten pamphlet, 16pp. 12mo., undoubtedly written anonymously by a disgruntled Federalist, entitled "A List of Presidential Crimes" and consisting of a running tally of transgressions committed by President Thomas Jefferson. The claims it contains are mostly sourced from anti-Jefferson newspapers and writers, especially one-time Jefferson ally James T. Callendar. In small part: "...He has declared war during the recess of Congress - Algeria... He has appointed a foreigner [Geneva-born Albert Gallatin]... to be at the head of the treasury department... He openly scoffs at religion and makes a jest of the sufferings of the savior of mankind... He has hired vile slanderers to abuse the Administrations of Washington and Adams... Jefferson has invited Tom Pain [Thomas Paine] to come to America, and prays for a continuance of his useful Labour - and to come at the Expense of the Nation. Tom Pain published an infamous libel addressed to Gen. Washington ["Letter to George Washington"] he also published a collection of blasphemous buffoonery addressed to the Citizen of the United States ["The Age of Reason"]. In this work the whole Christian world and even the Creator himself are insulted..." The most interesting charge against Jefferson comes at the end of the list: "...Callendar says Jefferson keeps a Black Concubine by whom he has several children...", a reference no doubt to Sally Hemmings, an enslaved woman whose five children are considered to have been fathered by Jefferson. This entry is followed by a list of the crimes of future president James Monroe. The work is unsigned and undated, bound with string at the spine, with no indication that it was written for widespread publication. Shows some foxing throughout, else very good. A fascinating relic of a particularly rancorous period of American political history.

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February 19, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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