Callender's Constitutional Beliefs: What He Didn't Support

James T. Callender was a journalist and writer who criticised elements of the US Constitution that he believed were undemocratic. He took issue with the election of the president through the Electoral College and believed that the Senate was unrepresentative because its members were not directly elected by the people. Callender was also known for his attacks on prominent figures such as Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. He wrote about Hamilton's adulterous affair and accused Adams of being mentally deranged and plotting to crown himself king. Callender also revealed that Jefferson had funded his pamphleteering and later alleged that Jefferson had fathered children with his slave, Sally Hemings. Callender's career was marked by partisan writing, and he was jailed for violating the Sedition Act. After his release, he sought appointments from Jefferson, threatening to reveal secrets if his demands were not met. Callender's life took a downward turn due to bitterness and alcoholism, and he eventually drowned in the James River in 1803.

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The election of the president through the Electoral College

James Callender was a journalist and writer known for his scandalous and satirical writings in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion during the early days of the United States, and his work exposed political secrets and controversies.

One of the elements of the US Constitution that Callender criticised as undemocratic was the election of the president through the Electoral College. He argued that the Senate was unrepresentative of the people because senators were not directly elected by the people. He also criticised George Washington for "deceiving" the nation by promoting himself as a popular idol.

Callender's writings were often partisan, and he supported the Republican cause. He wrote pamphlets and newspaper articles attacking Federalist leaders, including John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. He accused Adams of being a monarchist and planning to crown himself king, and he exposed Hamilton's adulterous affair with a married woman, Maria Reynolds.

Callender also targeted Thomas Jefferson, revealing that Jefferson had funded his pamphleteering. Later, he turned against Jefferson, accusing him of having an affair with his slave, Sally Hemings, and fathering several children with her.

Callender's career was tumultuous, and he faced legal troubles, including prosecution under the Alien and Sedition Acts. He was jailed for his writings but was later pardoned by President Jefferson. Despite his controversial nature, Callender's influence on journalism and American politics was significant, and he laid the groundwork for investigative journalism in the United States.

The Senate, which was not directly elected by the people

James Callender was a journalist and writer known for his scandalous writings in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion during the early days of the United States. Callender's writings were often published anonymously to protect him from retribution and were influential during the American Revolution, stirring up public sentiment against British rule.

Callender was a critic of elements of the US Constitution that he believed were undemocratic. One of these elements was the structure of the Senate, which was not directly elected by the people. Callender argued that the Senate was "flagrantly unrepresentative" because its members were not chosen directly by the citizens they represented. He believed that the people should have a direct say in who represents them in the Senate, rather than having senators appointed or elected through an indirect process.

Callender's views on the Senate reflect his broader commitment to democratic egalitarianism and his desire to hold public officials accountable. He advocated for an unfettered press, believing that "the more that a nation knows about the mode of conducting its business, the better chance has that business of being properly conducted." In other words, Callender argued that transparency and accountability in government were essential for a well-functioning democracy.

Callender's criticism of the Senate's lack of direct election by the people was part of his broader critique of political corruption and his efforts to expose political secrets and controversies. He targeted both Federalist and Republican leaders in his writings, including John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson. Callender's attacks on Adams included accusations of monarchist sympathies, while his revelations about Hamilton's affair with a married woman and his allegations about Jefferson's relationship with his slave, Sally Hemings, caused significant scandals.

Callender's career was marked by controversy, debt, and legal jeopardy. He was convicted of sedition in 1800 for his attacks on the Adams administration and spent nine months in jail. After his release, he sought patronage from President Jefferson but was denied, leading him to turn against Jefferson and publish allegations about his private life. Callender's life ended tragically when he drowned in the James River in 1803, with some speculating that his death was a suicide or the result of foul play. Despite his tumultuous life, Callender's sharp wit, fearless reporting, and influence on American journalism and politics left a lasting impact on the early history of the United States.

George Washington's self-promotion as a popular idol

James Callender believed that George Washington had "debauched" and "deceived" the nation by promoting himself as a popular idol. Washington's self-promotion as a popular idol was indeed a significant aspect of his legacy.

Washington was a strong leader who played a crucial role in the early years of the American nation. He was the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and led the Patriot forces to victory against the British Empire. He was also a Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797.

Washington's leadership and military successes contributed to his popularity. In 1754, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and second-in-command of the Virginia Regiment, which defended 300 miles of frontier against twenty Indian attacks in ten months. Under his leadership, the regiment grew from 300 to 1,000 men, and he increased its professionalism.

Washington's popularity was also evident when he headed to Boston in 1775, where he was greeted by cheering crowds and political ceremonies. He had become a symbol of the Patriot cause. His popularity continued to grow, and he became the only person with a national platform to represent the entire country, overwhelmingly trusted by the populace.

Washington's popularity was not limited to his lifetime achievements but also extended to his personal qualities. He was known for his self-discipline, restraint, and leadership skills. He was mindful of the principles of republican virtue, including self-sacrifice, decorum, self-improvement, and leadership.

However, Washington also had concerns about the impact of the presidency on his popularity. He feared that the position would take away his happiness and tarnish his reputation. Despite these concerns, Washington's legacy as a popular idol remained strong. He is remembered as one of the greatest presidents in the nation's history, with his name adorning the Capitol City, the Washington Monument, and Mount Rushmore.

Washington's self-promotion as a popular idol was, therefore, a complex aspect of his legacy. While he cultivated respect for the presidency and attempted to serve as a president for all citizens, he also struggled with inner conflicts and the potential consequences of fame. Nonetheless, his popularity and reputation as a strong leader solidified his place in American history.

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Alexander Hamilton's alleged financial corruption

James Callender, a journalist and writer, is known for his criticism of Alexander Hamilton, among other political figures. Callender's attacks on Hamilton centred on his alleged financial corruption and adultery.

In 1797, Hamilton publicly admitted to an affair with Maria Reynolds, a married woman, after his political enemies accused him of financial corruption during his time as Treasury Secretary. Hamilton's critics alleged that he had been involved in a speculation scheme with James Reynolds, Maria's husband, who had been imprisoned for defrauding the government.

Hamilton denied any financial impropriety but admitted to the affair, apologising for it and claiming that he had made "hush money" payments to Reynolds to cover it up. In his "Reynolds Pamphlet", Hamilton wrote:

> "The charge against me is a connection with one James Reynolds for purposes of improper pecuniary speculation. My real crime is an amorous connection with his wife, for a considerable time with his privity and connivance."

Callender, bankrolled by Thomas Jefferson, published a report of the affair in his "History of the United States for 1796". He alleged that Hamilton had been involved in the speculation scheme and was guilty of financial corruption. Callender's pamphlet left Hamilton in a difficult position, as he could neither deny the charges of adultery nor afford to be implicated in financial scandal. As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton had been the architect of early American fiscal policy, and being branded as corrupt would not only end his career but also threaten the Federalist Party.

Hamilton's admitted affair damaged his reputation and ruined his chances of becoming president. However, it is important to note that while the affair and alleged financial corruption were scandalous, they did not lead to any criminal charges or official impeachment proceedings against Hamilton.

Thomas Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemings

The nature of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings's relationship has been a subject of discussion and disagreement for two centuries. Hemings was an enslaved woman at Monticello, and the half-sister of Jefferson's deceased wife. In 1802, political journalist James T. Callender, a former ally of Jefferson, wrote in a Richmond newspaper that Jefferson had, for many years, kept Hemings as his concubine and had several children with her. This story was taken up by Jefferson's Federalist opponents and was published in many newspapers during the remainder of his presidency.

Jefferson never publicly responded to the allegations, and Hemings left no known accounts. However, the story was sustained through the 19th century by Northern abolitionists, British critics of American democracy, and others. Over the years, some historians have accepted the possibility of a Jefferson-Hemings connection, while most Jefferson scholars have found the case unpersuasive. In 1972, Fawn M. Brodie published "The Great Jefferson Taboo" in American Heritage magazine, addressing the rumors of their relationship and concluding that they had a long relationship.

In 1998, a DNA study established that a male with a Jefferson Y chromosome fathered one of Hemings's children, Eston Hemings. The study ruled out Jefferson’s Carr nephews as the father. In 2000, a report by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation concluded that there was a high probability that Jefferson was the father of Eston and likely all six of Hemings's children. This report, along with DNA evidence, marked a turning point in the historical understanding of the relationship, with most historians now agreeing that Jefferson was the father of one or more of Hemings's children.

The relationship between Jefferson and Hemings raises questions about consent and power dynamics. As a slave, Hemings had little legal power over Jefferson, and their relationship was inherently unbalanced. However, some descendants and historians believe that Hemings may have had more agency than traditionally imagined. For example, Hemings could have chosen freedom while in France but instead agreed to return to America with Jefferson. Additionally, Jefferson reportedly taught his children with Hemings trade skills and freed them when they turned 18.

The Jefferson-Hemings relationship was certainly complex and remains a subject of historical debate and interpretation. While the exact nature of their relationship may never be known, it is clear that it has had a significant impact on our understanding of American history and the legacy of slavery.

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