No More Learning

The life of Alexander Hamilton.
Hamilton, John C. (John Church), 1792-1882. New York, D. Appleton, 1840
http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492
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? University of Virginia Library
E;302 6;. H2;H26;1840 V. 2
ALD The life of Alexander Hamilton
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
PRESENTED BY
W. W. Corcoran
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
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? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? J
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? THE
LLFE
OF
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
BY HIS SON
JOHN C. HAMILTON,"
genus unde Latinum
Albanique patres, atque altse moenia Ronise.
SECOND EDITION.
VOL. II.
NEW-YORK:
D. APPLETON & CO. , 200 BROADWAY.
1841.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 30? .
. ?
v-a
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by John C. Hamilton,
in the Office of the Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.
UniTenity tnm.
JOHN r. TROW, PRINTER,
114 Nmmu-iuml
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CONTENTS
OF THE
SECOND VOLUME.
CHAPTER XVI.
Laurena to Hamilton--Letters to De Noailles, La Fayette, and Greene--
Inactivity of preceding Congress--Public Lands--Protest of Virginia--Public
Distresses--Congress of 1783-3--Its Leading Members--Hamilton oonfers
with Legislature of Pennsylvania--Discontents of the Army--Letter to
Rhode Island--Report by Hamilton urging a National Revenue--Sinking
Fund--Continental Money--Proceedings thereon--Army Memorial--Hani.
ilton's Report thereon--His Resolution for a Revenue to be collected by Con-
gress--Pledges to provide Revenues to Fund the Debt--Valuation of Lands
--Advises Washington as to Army--Letter to Clinton--Hamilton urges that
doors of Congress be opened--Washington to Hamilton--Armstrong's Ad.
dress--Letter from Washington--Hamilton's Reply--Meeting of Officers--
Washington's Address--Letter from Gates--Commendation of Washington
--Hamilton suggests a Solid Union--Washington's Reply--Vote of Half.
Pay p. 1
CHAPTER XVII.
Intelligence of Peace--Early Negotiations with France--Treaty of Alii,
ance--Instructions to Adams and Franklin--Ultimata as to Great Britain--
Memorials of Gerard--Terms as to Spain--Adams desires to treat with
England--Repressed by Vergennes--Jay's Despatches--Instructions to in.
sist on Navigation of Mississippi--Madison enters Congress--French Influ-
ence--Invasion of Virginia--Flight of Jefferson--Capture of Richmond--
Second Flight of Jefferson--Resolutions as to Mississippi--Memorial of La
Luzerne to Congress--Pretensions of Spain--Madison's Instructions to
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? iv C O N T E N T ^.
Jay--Spain refuses Aids--Conference of La Luzerne with Congress--
Subsidy of France--Instructions to accept the Mediation of Russia--
Instructions submitting Terms of Treaty with England to control of
France--Madison proposes Grant of Power to exert Force against De-
linquent States--Hamilton's Objections--Madison's Instructions to Adams
--His Commission revoked--Adams's Mission to Holland--Writes to Rus-
sia--Denmark and Sweden--Vergennes suggests another Minister--Adams
proceeds to Paris--Returns to Amsterdam--His Memorial and Letter to
Congress--Dana's Mission to Russia--Hamilton advises temporary Treaty
with Russia--Recommends a Neutral Policy--Terms of Treaty with Eng-
land--Letter of Marbois--Overtures of England--Missions of Hartley, Os-
wald, Grcnville--Jay disapproves Instructions--Repairs to Paris--Confer-
ences--Concludes a Provisional Treaty--Conferences with D'Aranda--Re-
port of R. R. Livingston on the Negotiation--Censure Proposed--Supported
by Madison--Resisted--Hamilton's Encomium on Negotiation--Deprecates
Foreign Influence P- 80
CHAPTER XVIII.
Half-Pay--Hamilton's Correspondence with Washington--Army Claims
Parties in Congress--Substantial Funds--Hamilton to Washington as to
Execution of Treaty--Reply--Army Claims--Hamilton advises a National
Marine and National Coinage--Proceedings as to Revenue--Proposed Taxes
--Hamilton condemns Arbitrary Assessments--Report as to Revenue--Ham-
ilton's Substitute--Ratio of Contribution--Hamilton to Clinton--Morris re-
solves to resign--Consents to continue in Office--Hamilton's Report as to
Invalid Corps--His Resolutions as to Army--Remonstrance to British Gov-
ernment--Removal of Obstructions to the Treaty--Hamilton to Clinton--
Controversy with Vermont--Hamilton to Clinton--Reports Plan Quarter-
master-General's Department--Plan regulating Intercourse with Indians--
Plan of State Department and Plan of Peace Establishment--Militia System
--Garrisoning Frontier Posts--Letter to Clinton--Urges Humanity to In-
dians--Mutiny at Philadelphia--His Views of it--Congress adjourn to
Princeton--Hamilton's Policy and Opinions--His Resolutions recommend.
ing a New Constitution and a General Convention p. 154
CHAPTER XIX.
Journey to Albany--Return to New-York--Letters of McHenry and Jay
--Commences the Profession of the Law--Important Argument--Proceed.
ingsof New-York Legislature--Persecution of British Adherents--Election in
New. York--Burr and Clinton--Hamilton resists a violent Policy, and sus-
tains the Treaty--Publishes Essays of I'hocion--Lenient Counsels prevail--
Forms Plan of a Bank--Manumission of Slaves P- 239
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CONTENTS.
V
CHAPTER XX.
Foreign Policy of United States--Hamilton's Views--Terms of Inter-
course with English Dominions--Her policy--Congress of 1783, 1784--Jef-
ferson's Report on Revenue? Government of Western Territory--Jefferson
contemplates a Mission to Europe--Frames a Report on a System of Trea-
ties--Jefferson appointed Commissioner--Resolution of Massachusetts--Jay
elected Secretary of Foreign Affairs--Military Force reduced--Committee
of States--Congress of 1781-5--Territorial Disputes--Proceedings of Com-
missioners at Paris--Jefferson's Negotiations with France--Advice as to
French Debt--Consular Convention--Mission of Gardoqui--Negotiations
with Spain--The Mississippi--British Policy--Embassy of Adams to Lon-
don--His Opinions--Dissatisfaction and Return--Jefferson's Opinions--
Hamilton's Views of American Policy p. 282
CHAPTER XXI.
Domestic Condition of United States--Cincinnati--Hamilton Recommends
Abolition of its Hereditary Principle--Proclamations of England--Retalia-
tory Policy of States--Hancock--Bowdoin recommends a General Conven-
tion--Objections of Massachusetts Delegates--Commercial Policy of New-
York--Hamilton urges Enlargement of Powers of Congress to regulate
Trade? Distresses of New-England--Insurrections of Massachusetts and
New-Hampshire--Virginia proposes a Commercial Convention--Meeting at
Annapolis--Address by Hamilton p. 339
CHAPTER XXII.
Congress of 1785-6--Appeal to New-York--Conduct of Clinton--Hamil-
ton in New-York Legislature--Prepares Address--Speech on it--Speech on
Act repealing Laws inconsistent with the Treaty--National and State Par-
ties--His Remarks on the Election Law--Test Oaths--Legislative Restric-
tions--Frames a System of State Taxation--Policy as to Poorer Classes--
Law for Collection of Small Debts--Bankrupt Act--Criminal Jurisprudence
--System of Public Instruction--Speech on the Impost--Speech on Inde-
pendence of Vermont p. 381
CHAPTER XXIII.
Congress of 1786-7--Objections to proposed Convention--Hamilton
urges Congress to recommend it--His Resolution to appoint Delegates
to the Federal Convention--Appointed one of them--Declines a Re-elec-
tion to tile Legislature--Appointments by the States to the Convention--
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? VI CONTENTS.
Sketch of American Confederacies--State Constitutions--Opinions of Jay,
Madison, Hamilton, and Washington, on New Organization of Government
--General Convention meets--Their Roles--Resolutions of Randolph and
Pinckney--Debates on them--Constitution of the Legislative Department--
Madison and Randolph in favour of a Plural Executive--Hamilton's Views
--Council of Revision--Jersey Plan--Comparative Views of Hamilton and
Madison--Lansing's and Patterson's Remarks--Brief of Hamilton's Speech
--His Plan of Government p. 448
CHAPTER XXIV.
Debates on Randolph's Resolutions--Hamilton to Washington--His Re-
ply--Lansing and Yates leave the Convention--Policy of Clinton--Hamil-
ton's Appeal to the People--Discussion of proposed Compromise--Project
of Tories as to Bishop of Osnaburgh--Hamilton to King--Invites Lansing
and Yates to return to the Convention--Proceedings of it--Committee of
Revisal--Hamilton signs the Constitution--His Opinions of Government--
Proposes a President for Three Years in a Second Plan of a Constitution--
His Views of the British Government--Comments on the Constitution of the
United States--Future Prospects--Urges its Adoption as the best that could
be obtained p. 508
ET J. C. Journals of Congress.
S. J. Secret Journals.
D. C. Diplomatic Correspondence.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? THE LIFE
OF
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
CHAPTER XVI.
[1782. ]
The War of the Revolution, as a scene of military
movements, fades into insignificance before the conflicts
of the elder Nations of the earth. ?
It is as a war of Opinion--as the beginning of that
great experiment in modern times, whether men are capa-
ble of self-government--that it assumes its immeasurable
importance.
A new World is seen rising into view--a World of
Hope; and as the great lights that shone upon its morning
path of advancing glory appear, the grateful inquiry is --
Whose were those superior minds that, amid the dark-
ness of a chaotic confederacy, combined the elements
of Social order, and formed them into a vast majestic
Empire?
The Wealth of Nations is their illustrious few.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 2
THE LIFE OF
While Hamilton, at the head of his corps, was approach-
ing York Town, letters were addressed to him urging his
acceptance of a seat in congress. But it was possible
that his services in the field might yet be required, and he
was unwilling to retire from the army.
2
ALD The life of Alexander Hamilton
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
PRESENTED BY
W. W. Corcoran
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? J
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? THE
LLFE
OF
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
BY HIS SON
JOHN C. HAMILTON,"
genus unde Latinum
Albanique patres, atque altse moenia Ronise.
SECOND EDITION.
VOL. II.
NEW-YORK:
D. APPLETON & CO. , 200 BROADWAY.
1841.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 30? .
. ?
v-a
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by John C. Hamilton,
in the Office of the Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.
UniTenity tnm.
JOHN r. TROW, PRINTER,
114 Nmmu-iuml
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CONTENTS
OF THE
SECOND VOLUME.
CHAPTER XVI.
Laurena to Hamilton--Letters to De Noailles, La Fayette, and Greene--
Inactivity of preceding Congress--Public Lands--Protest of Virginia--Public
Distresses--Congress of 1783-3--Its Leading Members--Hamilton oonfers
with Legislature of Pennsylvania--Discontents of the Army--Letter to
Rhode Island--Report by Hamilton urging a National Revenue--Sinking
Fund--Continental Money--Proceedings thereon--Army Memorial--Hani.
ilton's Report thereon--His Resolution for a Revenue to be collected by Con-
gress--Pledges to provide Revenues to Fund the Debt--Valuation of Lands
--Advises Washington as to Army--Letter to Clinton--Hamilton urges that
doors of Congress be opened--Washington to Hamilton--Armstrong's Ad.
dress--Letter from Washington--Hamilton's Reply--Meeting of Officers--
Washington's Address--Letter from Gates--Commendation of Washington
--Hamilton suggests a Solid Union--Washington's Reply--Vote of Half.
Pay p. 1
CHAPTER XVII.
Intelligence of Peace--Early Negotiations with France--Treaty of Alii,
ance--Instructions to Adams and Franklin--Ultimata as to Great Britain--
Memorials of Gerard--Terms as to Spain--Adams desires to treat with
England--Repressed by Vergennes--Jay's Despatches--Instructions to in.
sist on Navigation of Mississippi--Madison enters Congress--French Influ-
ence--Invasion of Virginia--Flight of Jefferson--Capture of Richmond--
Second Flight of Jefferson--Resolutions as to Mississippi--Memorial of La
Luzerne to Congress--Pretensions of Spain--Madison's Instructions to
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? iv C O N T E N T ^.
Jay--Spain refuses Aids--Conference of La Luzerne with Congress--
Subsidy of France--Instructions to accept the Mediation of Russia--
Instructions submitting Terms of Treaty with England to control of
France--Madison proposes Grant of Power to exert Force against De-
linquent States--Hamilton's Objections--Madison's Instructions to Adams
--His Commission revoked--Adams's Mission to Holland--Writes to Rus-
sia--Denmark and Sweden--Vergennes suggests another Minister--Adams
proceeds to Paris--Returns to Amsterdam--His Memorial and Letter to
Congress--Dana's Mission to Russia--Hamilton advises temporary Treaty
with Russia--Recommends a Neutral Policy--Terms of Treaty with Eng-
land--Letter of Marbois--Overtures of England--Missions of Hartley, Os-
wald, Grcnville--Jay disapproves Instructions--Repairs to Paris--Confer-
ences--Concludes a Provisional Treaty--Conferences with D'Aranda--Re-
port of R. R. Livingston on the Negotiation--Censure Proposed--Supported
by Madison--Resisted--Hamilton's Encomium on Negotiation--Deprecates
Foreign Influence P- 80
CHAPTER XVIII.
Half-Pay--Hamilton's Correspondence with Washington--Army Claims
Parties in Congress--Substantial Funds--Hamilton to Washington as to
Execution of Treaty--Reply--Army Claims--Hamilton advises a National
Marine and National Coinage--Proceedings as to Revenue--Proposed Taxes
--Hamilton condemns Arbitrary Assessments--Report as to Revenue--Ham-
ilton's Substitute--Ratio of Contribution--Hamilton to Clinton--Morris re-
solves to resign--Consents to continue in Office--Hamilton's Report as to
Invalid Corps--His Resolutions as to Army--Remonstrance to British Gov-
ernment--Removal of Obstructions to the Treaty--Hamilton to Clinton--
Controversy with Vermont--Hamilton to Clinton--Reports Plan Quarter-
master-General's Department--Plan regulating Intercourse with Indians--
Plan of State Department and Plan of Peace Establishment--Militia System
--Garrisoning Frontier Posts--Letter to Clinton--Urges Humanity to In-
dians--Mutiny at Philadelphia--His Views of it--Congress adjourn to
Princeton--Hamilton's Policy and Opinions--His Resolutions recommend.
ing a New Constitution and a General Convention p. 154
CHAPTER XIX.
Journey to Albany--Return to New-York--Letters of McHenry and Jay
--Commences the Profession of the Law--Important Argument--Proceed.
ingsof New-York Legislature--Persecution of British Adherents--Election in
New. York--Burr and Clinton--Hamilton resists a violent Policy, and sus-
tains the Treaty--Publishes Essays of I'hocion--Lenient Counsels prevail--
Forms Plan of a Bank--Manumission of Slaves P- 239
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CONTENTS.
V
CHAPTER XX.
Foreign Policy of United States--Hamilton's Views--Terms of Inter-
course with English Dominions--Her policy--Congress of 1783, 1784--Jef-
ferson's Report on Revenue? Government of Western Territory--Jefferson
contemplates a Mission to Europe--Frames a Report on a System of Trea-
ties--Jefferson appointed Commissioner--Resolution of Massachusetts--Jay
elected Secretary of Foreign Affairs--Military Force reduced--Committee
of States--Congress of 1781-5--Territorial Disputes--Proceedings of Com-
missioners at Paris--Jefferson's Negotiations with France--Advice as to
French Debt--Consular Convention--Mission of Gardoqui--Negotiations
with Spain--The Mississippi--British Policy--Embassy of Adams to Lon-
don--His Opinions--Dissatisfaction and Return--Jefferson's Opinions--
Hamilton's Views of American Policy p. 282
CHAPTER XXI.
Domestic Condition of United States--Cincinnati--Hamilton Recommends
Abolition of its Hereditary Principle--Proclamations of England--Retalia-
tory Policy of States--Hancock--Bowdoin recommends a General Conven-
tion--Objections of Massachusetts Delegates--Commercial Policy of New-
York--Hamilton urges Enlargement of Powers of Congress to regulate
Trade? Distresses of New-England--Insurrections of Massachusetts and
New-Hampshire--Virginia proposes a Commercial Convention--Meeting at
Annapolis--Address by Hamilton p. 339
CHAPTER XXII.
Congress of 1785-6--Appeal to New-York--Conduct of Clinton--Hamil-
ton in New-York Legislature--Prepares Address--Speech on it--Speech on
Act repealing Laws inconsistent with the Treaty--National and State Par-
ties--His Remarks on the Election Law--Test Oaths--Legislative Restric-
tions--Frames a System of State Taxation--Policy as to Poorer Classes--
Law for Collection of Small Debts--Bankrupt Act--Criminal Jurisprudence
--System of Public Instruction--Speech on the Impost--Speech on Inde-
pendence of Vermont p. 381
CHAPTER XXIII.
Congress of 1786-7--Objections to proposed Convention--Hamilton
urges Congress to recommend it--His Resolution to appoint Delegates
to the Federal Convention--Appointed one of them--Declines a Re-elec-
tion to tile Legislature--Appointments by the States to the Convention--
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? VI CONTENTS.
Sketch of American Confederacies--State Constitutions--Opinions of Jay,
Madison, Hamilton, and Washington, on New Organization of Government
--General Convention meets--Their Roles--Resolutions of Randolph and
Pinckney--Debates on them--Constitution of the Legislative Department--
Madison and Randolph in favour of a Plural Executive--Hamilton's Views
--Council of Revision--Jersey Plan--Comparative Views of Hamilton and
Madison--Lansing's and Patterson's Remarks--Brief of Hamilton's Speech
--His Plan of Government p. 448
CHAPTER XXIV.
Debates on Randolph's Resolutions--Hamilton to Washington--His Re-
ply--Lansing and Yates leave the Convention--Policy of Clinton--Hamil-
ton's Appeal to the People--Discussion of proposed Compromise--Project
of Tories as to Bishop of Osnaburgh--Hamilton to King--Invites Lansing
and Yates to return to the Convention--Proceedings of it--Committee of
Revisal--Hamilton signs the Constitution--His Opinions of Government--
Proposes a President for Three Years in a Second Plan of a Constitution--
His Views of the British Government--Comments on the Constitution of the
United States--Future Prospects--Urges its Adoption as the best that could
be obtained p. 508
ET J. C. Journals of Congress.
S. J. Secret Journals.
D. C. Diplomatic Correspondence.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? THE LIFE
OF
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
CHAPTER XVI.
[1782. ]
The War of the Revolution, as a scene of military
movements, fades into insignificance before the conflicts
of the elder Nations of the earth. ?
It is as a war of Opinion--as the beginning of that
great experiment in modern times, whether men are capa-
ble of self-government--that it assumes its immeasurable
importance.
A new World is seen rising into view--a World of
Hope; and as the great lights that shone upon its morning
path of advancing glory appear, the grateful inquiry is --
Whose were those superior minds that, amid the dark-
ness of a chaotic confederacy, combined the elements
of Social order, and formed them into a vast majestic
Empire?
The Wealth of Nations is their illustrious few.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 2
THE LIFE OF
While Hamilton, at the head of his corps, was approach-
ing York Town, letters were addressed to him urging his
acceptance of a seat in congress. But it was possible
that his services in the field might yet be required, and he
was unwilling to retire from the army.
"I would not wish," Laurens wrote, "to have you for
a moment withdrawn from the public service; at the same
time my friendship for you, and knowledge of your value to
the United States, make me most ardently desire that you
should fill only the first offices of the republic. I was flatter-
ed with an account of your being elected a delegate from
New-York, and am much mortified not to hear it confirmed
by y mrself. I must confess to you, that at the present stage
of the war I should prefer your going into congress, and
from thence becoming a minister plenipotentiary for peace,*'
to your remaining in the army, where the dull system of
seniority and the tableau would prevent you from having
the important command to which you are entitled. "
As the prospect of peace opened, Hamilton changed his
s views, and he took his seat in the great council of the
confederacy, over which he had hitherto exerted an unac-
knowledged influence with much gratification.
The partial success which had attended his efforts, as
continental receiver, to draw out the public resources,
taught him that little was to be expected from domestic
supplies. A loan which he had endeavoured to effect
during his residence at Albany had failed, and he now
looked to France as affording the only hope of relieving
the distresses of the treasury.
* La Fayette, when in Europe, urged the minister of France to use his
influence that Hamilton should be sent envoy to London. --" I advise you to
take a gentleman who has no connection with the great men in England.
Our friend Hamilton would be a very proper choice. You ought to bring it
about. There are few men so honest and sensible. I hope you may send
him. He knows better than all the British councils. "
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 03:41 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uva. x000275492 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? HAMILTON.
That hope was faint. The capture of Cornwallis had
induced her ministry late in the preceding year to make
a new loan, with a view to the recovery of New York
and Charleston; but they at the same time announced in the
most peremptory manner their determination not to grant
larger aids. Yet there was no other resource; and under
this conviction he addressed the following letters to De
Noailles and La Fayette.
"Esteem for your talents and acquirements, is a senti-
ment which from my earliest acquaintance with you, my
dear viscount, I have shared in common with all those
who have the happiness of knowing you; but a better
knowledge of your character has given it in my eyes a
more intrinsic merit, and has attached me to you by a
friendship founded upon qualities as rare as they are esti-
mable. Averse as I am to professions, I cannot forbear
indulging this declaration, to express to you the pleasure
I feel at receiving, after an inexplicable delay, the letter
you were so obliging as to write me before your depart-
ure from Boston.