Mr. Hamilton in the Federalist, he was really in favor of the election of a President for life, and of other monarchical or anti-republican sentiments and measures. The following important letter of Mr. Hamilton, addressed in the first instance to Timothy Pickering, will controvert and disprove this charge in the most direct and satisfactory

manner:

"NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 1803.

"MY DEAR SIR: I will make no apology for my delay in answering your inquiry, some time since made, because I could offer none which would satisfy myself. I pray you only to believe that it proceeded from any thing rather than from want of respect or regard. I shall now comply with your request.

"The highest toned propositions which I made in the Convention, were for a President, Senate, and Judges, during good behavior; a House of Representatives for three years. Though I would have enlarged the legislative power of the general government, yet I never contemplated the abolition of the State governments; but, on the contrary, they were, in some particulars, constituent parts of my plan.

"This plan was, in my conception, conformable with the strict theory of a government purely re

publican; the essential criteria of which are, that the principal organs of the executive and legislative departments be elected by the people, and hold the office by a responsible and temporary or defeasible nature.

"A vote was taken on the proposition respecting the executive. Five States were in favor of itamong these Virginia; and though, from the manner of voting by delegations, individuals were not distinguished, it was morally certain, from the known situation of the Virginia members, (six in number, two of them, Mason and Randolph, professing popular doctrines,) that Madison must have concurred in the vote of Virginia. Thus, if I sinned against republicanism, Mr. Madison is not less guilty.

"I may truly, then, say that I never proposed either a President or Senate for life; and that I neither recommended nor meditated the annihilation of the State governments.

"And I may add that, in a course of the discussions in the Convention, neither the propositions thrown out for debate, nor even those who voted in the earlier stages of deliberation, were considered as evidence of a definitive opinion in the proposer or voter. It appeared to be in some sort understood that, with a view to free investigation, experi

mental propositions might be made, which were to be received merely as suggestions for consideration. Accordingly, it is a fact that my final opinion was against an executive during good behavior, on account of the increased danger to the public tranquillity incident to the election of a magistrate of his degree of permanency. In the plan of a Constitution which I drew up while the Convention was sitting, and which I communicated to Mr. Madison about the close of it, perhaps a day or two after, the office of President has no longer duration than for three years.

"This plan was predicated upon these bases: 1. That the political principles of the people of this country, would endure nothing but a republican government. 2. That in the actual situation of the country it was itself right and proper that the republican theory should have a full and fair trial. 3. That to such a trial it was essential that the government should be so constructed as to give it all the energy and the stability reconcilable with the principles of that theory. These were the genuine sentiments of my heart, and upon them I

then acted.

"I sincerely hope that it may not hereafter be discovered that, through want of sufficient attention to the last idea, the experiment of republican

government, even in this country, has not been as complete, as satisfactory, and as decisive as could be wished.

"Very truly, dear sir, your friend and servant,

24*

A. HAMILTON."

CHAPTER XII.

PROCEEDINGS OF M. GENET-REMONSTRANCE OF THE BRITISH MINISTER— CONFLICTS IN THE CABINET OPINION OF HAMILTON RESPECTING PRIZES TAKEN IN WAR-LE PETIT DEMOCRAT-HAMILTON'S REPORT ON THE PUBLIC CREDIT-HIS VARIOUS OTHER REPORTS AS SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY-HE WRITES HIS CELEBRATED PACIFICUS-CHANGES IN WASHINGTON'S CABINET-HAMILTON RESIGNS AS SECRETARY OF THE STATE TREASURY-OPPOSITION OF ALBERT GALLATIN TO WASHINGTON-HAMILTON VINDICATES THE PRESIDENT.

THE minister whom the French republic sent to the United States, in the year 1793, was M. Genet, a person not unknown at home in the bloody annals of Jacobin violence and triumph. He arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, on the 8th of April. His object in sailing for Charleston and not for Philadelphia, where the federal government was then located, obviously was, that he might be nearer to the West Indies, which furnished a more favorable position for the resort and protection of privateers. He immediately began to authorize the fitting out and arming of vessels at Charleston, the enlisting of men, and the giving of commissions, to commit hostilities on a nation with whom the United States were then at peace.

The course of conduct pursued by this Jacobin