 Rowan was not as active during the second session of the Tenth Congress , introducing no legislation and making no major speeches . Newly elected Kentucky Senator John Pope observed in a letter to a friend that the Democratic @-@ Republicans in Congress disliked Rowan and were disappointed in his speaking and debating ability . He opined that Rowan 's attempt to investigate Wilkinson had been a slap at party founder Thomas Jefferson ( then in his second term as President ) , under whom Wilkinson was serving as Commanding General of the United States Army . Pope went on to write that , although Rowan personally cited no party affiliation , he was claimed by the Federalist caucus in the House . In studying Rowan 's short tenure in the House , historian Stephen Fackler observed that " Rowan adhered more rigidly to the precepts of Jeffersonian republicanism than Jefferson himself , for the president compromised his principles in the national interest . " Fackler observed that Rowan often disagreed with Jefferson as president , and that as a result , some historians labeled him a Federalist , a designation Fackler felt was in error . 
