immortal statesman and orator would himself have directed his biographers thus to write of him, had he lived to guide and counsel them. And after having thus been true to history in exhibiting what may have been defective in the principles or the conduct of Hamilton, we are convinced that every impartial reader must admit that, if Washington is esteemed first in war, in peace, and in the hearts of his countrymen, Hamilton, beyond all question, deserves to be regarded as the second.

SAMUEL M. SMUCKER.

PHILADELPHIA, November, 1856.

PREFACE...

CONTENTS.

PAGE

5

INTRODUCTION.

Mission of American Statesmen-First Colony Founded in

America-Successive Establishment of all the American

Colonies-Their Growth-The "Old French War"-Sub-

sequent History of the Colonies-The Stamp Act-Con-

duct of the British Parliament-Outbreak of the Revo-

lutionary Struggle-First Meeting of the Continental

Congress Declaration of American Independence-The

Grand Drama begins.......

CHAPTER I.

Birth of Alexander Hamilton-His Ancestors-His Early

Schooling Enters a Counting-house-Propitious Acci-

dent-Sails for New York-His Studies at Elizabethtown

-He enters Columbia College-His Studious Habits and

Progress-His First Public Oration-Its Effects and Pro-

mise of Future Success...

CHAPTER II.

Colonial Affairs in New York in 1774-Dr. Cooper-Dr.

Ingles-Dr. Seabury-Hamilton's First Political Pam-

phlet-Its Merits and Effects-Increase of Hamilton's

Fame-Incidents of 1775-He enters the Continental

Army in 1776-Is appointed Private Secretary and Aid-

de-Camp to Washington - Gains Washington's entire

Confidence-His Conduct in his New Sphere......

CHAPTER III.

Events of 1777-Conspiracy against Washington in the

Army and in Congress-Hamilton's Mission to Gates-

His Success-Events of 1778-Hamilton's Conduct at

Monmouth--Lee's Retreat-Lee's Subsequent Court Mar-

tial-Hamilton's Growing Fame-His Popularity with

the Army-Lafayette.....

CHAPTER IV.

Events of 1780-Financial Difficulties of the Colonies-Ha-

milton's Financial Schemes-Robert Morris-Bank of

United States Proposed-Hamilton's Letter to Robert

Morris-French Aid sent to the Colonies-Causes of the

Friendly Interposition of France-Treason of Arnold-

Hamilton's Projects for the National Prosperity-His

Letter to James Duane-Hamilton appointed Minister

to France-He Declines......

CHAPTER V.

Marriage of Hamilton-Quarrel between Hamilton and

Washington-Hamilton Retires from the Camp-His

Plan of a National Bank-Writes the Continentalist-

He Returns to the Camp-Incidents at Yorktown-He-

roism of Hamilton at the Capture of Cornwallis-Glo-

rious Results of that Victory-Hamilton Returns to

Albany-Commences the Study of the Law-Is Ap-

pointed Receiver of Continental Taxes-His Admission

to the Bar......

CHAPTER VI.

Hamilton Elected a Member of Congress-His Activity

there His Financial Expedients-Revolutionary Claims

-Assists in Arranging the Preliminaries of Peace be-

tween the United States and Great Britain-Claims of the

Continental Army on Congress-His Views on Taxation

and Imports-Supports the Establishment of a Military

Hospital-His Labors as Chairman of the Military Com-

mittee Revolt among the Pennsylvania Troops of the

Continental Army.......

CHAPTER VII.

PAGE

Hamilton Returns to Albany-Resumes the Practice of

the Law--Particulars Respecting the First Case-His

Forensic Learning and Eloquence-His Publication of

"Phocion"-Its Effects-He Drafts his Constitution of

the Bank of New York-Hamilton's Views on the Sub-

ject of American Stavery-His Conduct in Reference

to a Slave-Lafayette's Opinions on the same subject... 146

CHAPTER VIII.

Establishment of the Society of the Cincinnati-Its Consti-

tution and Purposes-Popular Prejudice against it-Jef-

ferson's Opinions in Reference to it-The Convention at

Annapolis-Hamilton's Activity and Influence in that

Body Is Elected a Member of the New York Legisla-

ture-His Labors there-Is the means of Establishing

the New York University.....

CHAPTER IX.

Difficulties between the States of Vermont and New York-

Hamilton's Speech on the Subject-A Federal Constitu-

tion Proposed by Hamilton-Condition and Wants of the

Country-Articles of Confederation-Virginia Proposes

a Federal Convention-Hamilton Chosen to Represent the

State of New York in it-His Important Labors in that

Convention-Drafts the Constitution of the United States

-Provisions of that Constitution-Great Difficulties to

be Overcome-Its Final Adoption......

CHAPTER X.

...

The First Election of Federal Officers-Reluctance of Wash-

ington to accept the Presidency-His Letters on the sub-

ject-Washington is Elected President-State of Parties

in the United States at that time-Selection of Washing

ton's Cabinet-Hamilton chosen Secretary of the Trea-

sury-His first Report on Public Credit-His Report on

the Revenue-Origin of the Animosity between Hamil-

ton and Jefferson-Hamilton's Report on a National Bank

161

176

-Controversy respecting State Power and Federal Rights

-Fierce conflicts in Washington's Cabinet-His attempt

to Harmonize its Members......

CHAPTER XI.

The Authorship of the Federalist-Its Relative Position in

American Literature-The Period of its Publication-Its

General Scope and Purpose-Its Specific Parts or Sub-

divisions-Its General Conclusions and Results-its Pe-

culiarities of Style-Its Clearness - Beauty - Logical

Power-Metaphysical Profundity-Colossal Thoughts-

Antithetical Force-Employs Contributions and Illustra-

tions from every Department of Science-Influence of the

Federalist on American Affairs-Its Foreign Fame and

Influence-Its future Conservative Influence on the Ame-

rican Union..

PAGE

206

257

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 Ca-

binet-Hamilton Resigns as Secretary of the Treasury—

Opposition of Albert Gallatin to Washington-Hamil-

ton Vindicates the President..

CHAPTER XIII.

Charge of Official Fraud made against Hamilton-He De-

fends Himself Affair of Maria Reynolds-Conspiracy to

Extort Money-Perverted by Hamilton's Enemies to serve

Party Purposes-His Final and Triumphant Vindication.

of Himself-Hamilton Devotes himself to the Labors of his

Profession- Writes Camillus -Threatened War with

France-Active Measures of Defense taken by the United

States-The Difficulties Finally Adjusted-Hamilton Pub-

lishes Manlius and The Stand-He Writes Washington's

Farewell Address..

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282

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