Race, Sex, and Reputation: Thomas Jefferson and the Sally Hemings Story

Abstract

By August 1802, image of Thomas Jefferson had yet been carved in stone, but had at least been molded in wax. likeness of third president stood alongside twenty-four other famous figures on display in Georgetown. Adults handed over fifty cents view traveling exhibit; children paid half-price. Had this mobile wax museum been situated south, in Richmond, paraffin statues might have toppled. An earthquake rocked Virginia capital; its noise, according one published report, resembled the roaring of a chimney on fire. Less than a month later, Richmond Recorder created shock waves of its own. Threatening a similar potential damage president's image, these rumblings came in form of charges levied by newspaper against Jefferson's character. Around environs of Monticello, journal asserted, it well known man, whom delighteth people honor, keeps, and for many years past has kept, as his concubine, one of his own slaves. Her name SALLY. In 1780s, Sally had lived in her master's Parisian household during his diplomatic mission France and gave birth their first child, according account, within nine months of their return America. The name of her eldest son TOM. His features are said bear a striking, although sable resemblance those of President himself. Jefferson's wench had borne him several children--a later report set number at five--and not an individual in neighborhood of Charlottesville did believe story.(1) Written by James Thomson Callender, a Scottish emigre and one-time Republican whom Jefferson had recently passed over for a federal job, accusation reverberated through Federalist press. We have heard same subject spoken of in Virginia, and by Virginia gentlemen, claimed Gazette of United States. Connecticut Courant held Callender's convincing charges startle most impudent and confirm Jefferson is in every respect unfit be head of any people lost decency or given over reprobation.(2) On issue of his purported sexual conduct, as on other personal matters brought forth by detractors, Jefferson remained silent before public. More than a decade later, Jefferson wrote best and--for him--only answers to federal slanders could be produced through the tenor of my life, half a century of which has been on a theatre at which public have been spectators, and competent judges of it's [sic] merit. widespread confidence in his character by then confirmed that man who fears no truths has nothing fear from lies.(3) Historians have labored for decades cast doubt on Callender's assertion president engaged in a long-term affair with Sally Hemings. evidence, however, remains inconclusive, and paternity question--unresolved and, short of DNA tests, probably unresolvable--is getting more attention than ever.(4) But ongoing speculation about Jefferson's guilt or innocence ignores a more historical, if less sensational, aspect of Sally Hemings saga: namely, light Callender's accusation and Americans' subsequent reactions shed on dynamics of public opinion in early republic. Like Richmond earthquake, rumblings generated by rumors of a Jefferson-Hemings affair neither lasted long nor caused much damage. By end of 1802, after citizens bestowed upon their president an overwhelming vote of confidence during midterm congressional elections by bolstering Republican majorities in both House and Senate, Federalist outpouring of attacks on Jefferson's supposed amour had slowed a trickle. Little was said about Hemings, for example, in months before his 1804 landslide reelection, and only infrequently during remainder of Jefferson's lifetime did references alleged affair appear in print. …