Did you know Adams, his old friend and enemy, died that same day?
Actually, yes. And also duly note in PopPop's post. Lots of our founders were friends and enemies. Washington and Jefferson were quite close for a time but eventually were at odds. I think Alexander Hamilton led the league in making enemies. Including Aaron Burr.![]()
I guess I should've read a little further before posting. I think Hamilton was actually Washington's confidant, to the point where many called him "Washington's Boy". But a scandal involving collecting unpaid IOU's from the Continental Congress to Revolutionary Soldiers for 10 cents on a dollar then cashing them in Philadelphia ended Hamilton's political viability, opening the door for Adams to become our second president. That scandal was reported by an Irish-born political hack named James T Callender. Aaron Burr went off the reservation when Jefferson stole the 1800 Presidential Election, in a way that makes 'hanging chads' seem weak and pitiful. But when Jefferson became President, he distanced himself from Callender, to whom Jefferson had promised a Postmaster job if Callender would support Jefferson's Campaign. Callender, in turn, broke the story of 'Dusky Sadie', Jefferson slave mistress who kept his bed and birthed his children. That revelation left Callender floating face-down in the James River near Richmond. Ironically, when the Jefferson administration tried to push Sedition Laws through the courts, it was Alexander Hamilton who stood in open court and successfully defended the American Ideal of Freedom of the Press.
Politically correctness wasn't around back then.
Question- Who was charged with the task of hunting Aaron Burr to end his attempted rebellion ?
Last edited: