"The Connecticut Courant" Letter to the Editor Blasts Jefferson's Conduct After Rumors of Sally Hemings

4pp, measuring 12.25" x 20", Hartford, Connecticut, dated August 6, 1798. An issue of "The Connecticut Courant", Vol. XXXIII, No. 1750, published by Hudson and Goodwin. The first page of the paper has a printed copy of a recently passed "ACT concerning ALIENS" as well as a letter to the Editor detailing the writer's dissatisfaction with and mistrust of Thomas Jefferson. The newspaper has flattened folds, toning, and minor foxing. Small separations and tears are present at the fold edges, with chipping at the paper edges. Uneven top edge.

Reading in part: "Many of the people in this state, deceived by the philosophical cast of Mr. Jefferson's reasoning, or dazzled by the false glitter of his style, have been much in the dark respecting his true political character. Perhaps too, his warm professions of attachment to the people, in opposition to their government, have contributed in no small degree, to shut their eyes against the real designs of this wily statesman. Many of the friends of our constitution, have long considered him, as its enemy; and have seen in his conduct a settled determination to destroy it. Let those who still entertain doubts on this subject, read and study his celebrated letter Mazzei…he is the real Jacobin, the very child of modern illumination, the foe of man, and the enemy of his country…" The paper also contains foreign reports, local news, and various advertisements and notices, including those for goods for sale, a runaway boy, and an eloped wife. 

On April 24, 1796, Thomas Jefferson wrote a lengthy letter to his former neighbor, Philip Mazzei, which contained a single paragraph that would plague Jefferson for the remainder of his life. Writing at a time when he was deeply discouraged over the Jay Treaty and general American politics, Jefferson revealed to his friend his criticisms of the direction the country was headed. The contents of the letter were meant to be confidential but were published by Mazzei and later published in English by Noah Webster. By the time it was published in the United States, Jefferson was already Vice President, having faced a bitter and ugly presidential election against John Adams. The 1796 election had already called Jefferson's integrity into question - with rumors being spread about him having an affair with one of his female slaves and for exhibiting cowardly behavior during the Revolution. The publication of Jefferson's anti-Federalist rhetoric made him the target of intense political attacks, soured his relationship with Washington, and would come back to haunt him during the election of 1800. Historian Merrill Peterson claims, "No single writing from Jefferson's pen pursued him so remorselessly beyond the grave.”

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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