The History of the United States for 1796

James Thomson Callender. The History of the United States for 1796. Philadelphia: From the Press of Snowden & M’Corkle, 1797. Reproduction. Stanley F. Horn Book Collection.

This book by James Thomas Callender was a controversial piece and sought to expose scandals and critique the leaders of the Early Republic. Callender was a Scottish journalist and pamphleteer who published this systematic study of the development of a young America. He openly criticized the administration of George Washington, attacked Federalist policies, and exposed Alexander Hamilton’s financial and social scandals.

This was Andrew Jackson’s personal copy, and his notes and comments on Callender’s writing are found throughout the book. On the title page, Jackson has written that this book was “By that enlightened Citizen and Friend of America Callendar the author of all good things” “by that harty dog Callender the mangy Scotsman”

This work was initially published in installments in the late spring and summer of 1797. He minced no words about anti-Federalist views and published several pieces on political corruption among Federalists and in the John Adams administration.