Existing comment:
1797
The Reynolds Scandal
In the summer of 1791, Maria Reynolds approached Alexander Hamilton in his Philadelphia home, claiming that her husband had abandoned her and asking for money. When Hamilton delivered funds that evening, the pair began a year-long extramarital affair.
Hamilton later stated that Maria, and her husband, James, then conspired to extort money from him for his silence.
In 1797, Hamilton's political enemies exposed the affair and charged him with corruption during his service as Secretary of the Treasury.
Unwilling to stay silent, Hamilton published the infamous "Reynolds Pamphlet" -- launching one of the nation's first political sex scandals. |