Betsy Walker has come forth with allegations that Thomas Jefferson, after assuring her husband that he would look in on her while he was away conducting a treaty with a nearby Indian tribe, did sexually harass and attempt to seduce her. After slipping her an ode to the efficacy of free love, Jefferson was relentless in his attempts. On one occasion, Jefferson had come to her house to play cards. After she went to bed he “pretended to be sick, complained of a headache & left the gentlemen…Instead of going to bed….he stole into my room….” Jefferson was “repulsed with indignation & menaces of alarm and ran off.”
Thomas Jefferson has admitted to the charges Betsy Walker has made, and apologizes for any pain he may have caused. “I plead guilty…that when young and single I offered love to a handsome lady. I acknowledge its incorrectness .” We are still attempting to discover whether or not this was a singular and unique event, although several women (including Sally Hemings, Maria Cosway, Angelica Schuyler, and others) have indicated that this may be a pattern with Mr. Jefferson.
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