the Union able to protect them against domestic violence and the depredations which the democratic spirit is apt to make on property, and who are besides anxious for the respectability of the nation. The hopes of the creditors of the United States that a general government, possessing the means of doing it, will pay the debt of the Union. A strong belief of the people at large of the insufficiency of the present confederation to preserve the existence of the Union, and of the necessity of the Union to their safety and prosperity; of course, a strong desire of a change, and a predisposition to receive well the propositions of the Convention."

He also predicted that if the Constitution were adopted, Washington would be elected the first President; that that event would insure a wise and prudent administration; that such an administration would secure the confidence and affection of the whole nation; and that thus the central government would acquire more consistency and power than by the letter of the Constitution it was entitled to receive.

In the end, the predictions of this great man and profound statesman were fully realized. The Constitution, which he chiefly elaborated, was finally adopted; and has since become the subject of the constant eulogy of myriads of eloquent tongues,

and has received the admiration of the whole civilized world. The merit of Hamilton in connection with it can now scarcely be estimated; but when a thousand years of unequaled national prosperity and glory shall have rolled over this confederacy, which his great plastic hand moulded into so compact, so beautiful, and so consistent a mass; when five hundred millions of beings shall inhabit this continent, turning by their thrifty industry all her boundless plains and valleys into blooming and fruitful gardens; and when, from the Atlantic to the Pacific shore an empire of freemen shall here live and reign under the benign control of that Constitution, being ten times greater than any previous empire that ever existed on the earth; then, indeed, may the vast services and the venerable name of Alexander Hamilton be cherished with the profound reverence and the high appreciation which they abundantly deserve.*

In the summer of 1788 the Convention of the State

The following observation states clearly and beautifully one of the chief attributes or characteristics of this celebrated work:

"CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.-Like one of those wondrous rocking stones reared by the Druids, which the finger of a child may vibrate to the centre, yet the might of an army could not move it from its place, our Constitution is so nicely poised and balanced, that it seems to sway with every breath of opinion, yet so firmly rooted in the heart and affections of the people, that the wildest storms of treason and fanaticism break over it in vain."— B. C. Winthrop.

of New York met, of which Hamilton was a member. During the six weeks of its continuance he was actively employed in using his influence to induce that great State to adopt the federal Constitution, and unite with the confederacy. To his exertions it is mainly due that New York became a member of this great family of nations. His speeches before this Convention set forth, with great power and eloquence, the same doctrines which are defended in the Federalist. The most remarkable are those in which he vindicated the constitutional stability and permanency of the United States Senate; and clearly proved that the organization of that branch of the government ought to possess sufficient power to correct the prejudices, to control the passions, and to resist the fluctuations of the popular branch of the government.*

• See Works of Alexander Hamilton, by J. C. Hamilton, 7 vols. 8vo. Vol. II. p. 467.

18

CHAPTER X.

THE FIRST ELECTION OF FEDERAL OFFICERS-RELUCTANCE OF WASHING-
TON TO ACCEPT THE
LETTERS ON THE SUBJECT
PRESIDENT-STATE OF PARTIES IN THE

PRESIDENCY-HIS

WASHINGTON IS ELECTED

UNITED STATES AT THAT TIME-SELECTION OF WASHINGTON'S CABINET -HAMILTON CHOSEN SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY-HIS FIRST REPORT ON PUBLIC CREDIT HIS REPORT ON THE REVENUES-ORIGIN OF THE ANIMOSITY BETWEEN HAMILTON AND JEFFERSON-HAMILTON'S REPORT ON A NATIONAL BANK-CONTROVERSY RESPECTING STATE POWER AND FEDERAL RIGHTS-FIERCE CONFLICTS IN WASHINGTON'S CABINETBIS ATTEMPT TO HARMONIZE ITS MEMBERS.

AFTER the adoption of the federal Constitution, the next step in the progress of the government, in 1789, was the election of federal officers. The unanimous voice of voice of a grateful nation loudly invited Washington to occupy the highest seat within their gift. He alone possessed the full and absolute confidence of the whole people, as yet distrustful and suspicious of the rival claims and interests of sections; and it was believed that he alone possessed the intelligence, patriotism, firmness, knowledge of the wants of the whole confederacy, and the experience which the crisis demanded.

Nothing but a high sense of public duty induced

the Father of his country to accept the proffered elevation. He was then fifty-seven years of age. He had borne the innumerable labors and trials of the revolutionary struggle, and had now retired to the shades of private life, to enjoy the tranquillity and repose which he so much needed; yet, ever true to the behests of a lofty and unselfish patriotism, he was willing to make any sacrifice which his country might demand of him. On the 30th of April, 1789, he took the oath of office, and entered on the performance of his duties. Profound wisdom and prudence characterized all his acts from the moment of his entrance into office. To one of those who, previous to his inauguration, had requested an appointment under government, he replied in the following impressive language:

"Should it become absolutely necessary for me to occupy the station in which your letter presupposes me, I have determined to go into it perfectly free from all engagements, of every nature whatsoever.

"If I declined the task it would be upon quite another principle. Notwithstanding my advanced season of life, my increasing fondness for agricultural amusements, and my growing love of retirement augment and confirm my decided predilection for the character of a private citizen, yet it will be no one of these motives, nor the hazard to