With the truest respect and esteem, I am, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Alex.
Your most obedient servant,
Alex.
Hamilton - 1834 - Life on Hamilton - v1
hathitrust.
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? 224 THE LIFE OF
diate ruin, from the embarrassment of our finances and a
train of heavy calamities, they see their grand army cooped
up in garrison, their forts taken from them by unparalleled
valour, the country of their savage allies ravaged and de-
stroyed without a single effort for their protection, and a
capital naval armament, equipped by a single state, which
it required misconduct perhaps on our part, and certainly
the most hazardous efforts on theirs, to defeat? The con-
dition of our enemies, instead of being formidable, as they
predicted, seems daily to become more feeble, and instead
of the vigorous and decisive operations which can alone
have revived their declining cause and kept up the spi-
rits of their infatuated adherents, we see nothing but lan-
guor, discontent, and disgust, in their army, their fleets, and
their councils. Their king alone, as if hardened by a judi-
cial blindness, persists in his obstinate folly, and courts the
destruction of the British empire. If, in addition to this,
sickness has taken a deep root among his troops, a decisive
period must, in all probability, speedily be put to their mad
career.
"Count D'Estaing appears to have the ball at his feet.
His command of the ocean must be undisputed, when he is
joined by the Spanish squadron lately at Havannah. He
may divide his force, subdue the West India Islands, and
assist us in capturing the remnant of our enemies on this
continent. I have, however, some distrust of the Count's
planet. His former ill luck on our coast has led me to
think that he is no Felix. How do you like the new minis-
ter from France V
The gentleman here referred to was Monsieur de la Lu-
zerne, who is thus briefly noticed in a letter from Baron
Steuben to Colonel Hamilton.
"M. de la Luzerne desires me to join him on his route,
to accompany him to head quarters. I shall depart on Tues-
day morning for Providence, where I shall require three
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? HAMILTON. 225
days to review the regiments; after which I shall return
immediately to Hartford to join the minister.
"I promised to give you a picture of his new excellency.
He is about thirty-six years of age, though he appears
younger. In the last war he was aid-de-camp to Marshal
Broglio. He appears to me to be a man of solid sense, and
less presumptuous than the people of quality of that country
usually are. His manners are prepossessing; and they
would be more so if he could speak English. His charac-
ter appears to me good; and he is less reserved than Euro-
pean ministers usually are. His personal appearance will
not displease the ladies of Philadelphia. He is a young
chevalier of Malta, who is not so much imbrowned by his
crusades, but that the American beauties will take pains to
teach him English in a short time. His secretary, M. de
Marbois, is a counsellor of Parliament, from Metz in Lor-
raine -- speaks good English; and is a man who shows much
information and judgement. " Hamilton briefly replied:
"Dear Baron -- I am at this moment honoured with
your letter of the 30th ultimo, and have communicated that
part of it which concerns M. de la Luzerne to the General;
agreeably to which we shall take our measures on the re-
ception of this private public gentleman. We had prepared
a party of cavalry to receive him at Fishkill, on the suppo-
sition that he would set out with an escort from Boston;
but we have now sent orders to the party immediately to
take the route you mention to Hartford, and there place
themselves under your orders.
"The General requests you will make his respectful com-
pliments to your chevalier, and gives you carte blanche to
say every handsome thing you think proper in his name, of
the pleasure which this visit will give him. I have no doubt
that your portrait, which appears to be executed en maitre,
will be found a just representation of the original; and if he
vol. i. 29
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? 226 THE LIFE OF
is as happy as his predecessor in gaining the esteem and con-
fidence of the men of this country, with so many talents to
conciliate the leaders, his ministry will not be unsuccessful.
I augur well for him. General Washington proposes to
meet him, as a private gentleman, at Fishkill. "
The interview, at which Hamilton was present, was of
the highest importance. A full and candid statement was
given to the French minister of the resources and embar-
rassments of the nation; and he was duly impressed with
the importance of obtaining such aids as the finances of the
country required.
The rumoured approach of Count D'Estaing being soon
after confirmed by despatches from congress, Washington,
who had stationed Major Lee in Monmouth county, with
instructions to communicate to him the situation and force
of the enemy, and to propose some preliminary movements,
addressed a letter to the Count on the fourth of October,
informing him that he had called in reinforcements from
the neighbouring states, and that he was taking measures
to prepare for a co-operation, with all the despatch and
vigour his circumstances would permit, -- pointing out to
him in detail the situation of New-York and Rhode-Island;
suggesting the necessary measures to render an attempt in
either port successful; and disclosing, in an explicit man-
ner, all the difficulties attendant upon the enterprise.
On the seventh of October, he farther writes: " Since my
letter to your excellency on the fourth instant, I have had
the honour of a visit from his excellency Monsieur Gerard.
In the conversation we had relative to a co-operation with
the fleet and troops under your command, he expressed his
doubts of its being possible for you to continue such a length
of time as may be essential to the success of the undertaking,
and which alone could justify me in going into those exten-
sive preparations absolutely necessary on our part. I have,
therefore, appointed Brigadier General Du Portail and Co-
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? HAMILTON 227
bnel Hamilton to wait upon your excellency as speedily as
possible, and explain to you fully my ideas of the proposed
co-operation; the means we shall be able to employ; the
obstacles we shall have to encounter on our side; the plans
which it may be proper to pursue, and the measures which
are taking, and may be taken by the enemy to counteract
them. This will enable your excellency to determine what
you can with propriety undertake. I shall only add, that
if your excellency will engage to co-operate with your whole
naval and land force against the enemy's fleet and army at
New-York, till the winter is so far advanced, that the ice
will make it impracticable to remain with your fleet any
longer in port, I will bring twenty-five thousand effective
men into the field, and will exert all the resources of the
country in a vigorous and decided co-operation.
"Without this assurance on the part of your excellency, it
would be inconsistent with my duty to the public, and to
the common cause, to incur the expense and hazard which
would be inseparable from the enterprise, and the more
disagreeable consequences which would attend a failure.
I flatter myself your excellency will be fully sensible of the
weight of the reasons on which this declaration is founded,
and will approve the frankness with which it is made, and
with which I have instructed General Du Portail and Co-
lonel Hamilton to disclose to you every circumstance, and
every consideration, with which it is necessary you should
be acquainted. If your determination should be in favour
of the enterprise, I request you will honour me with a line
expressive of your ultimate intentions, and that you will
communicate to the gentlemen who now wait upon you, the
previous measures you propose to pursue, and your senti-
ments of the most eligible plan of co-operation. I shall act
in consequence, till the period arrives for concerting a final
and more determinate plan.
"I would now observe to your excellency, that you may
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? 228 THE LIFE OF
repose the most implicit confidence in General Du Portail
and Colonel Hamilton, and I accordingly recommend them
to your best civilities and esteem; and having done so, I
have only to renew the assurances of that sincere attach-
ment and perfect respect, with which I have the honour
to be,
"Your excellency's most obedient servant,
"George Washington. "
His Excellency Count D'Estaing.
The utmost interest was, at this moment, awakened
throughout the country. An interesting crisis was expect-
ed; and a long correspondence between Washington and
Hamilton ensued, as the various intelligence was received,
which would probably affect the intended enterprise. These
letters fully disclose the anxiety of the commander-in-chief,
to fulfil, by a decisive blow, the high wrought expectations
of the people. The enemy were, at this time, filled with
dismay. The fortifications at New-York were carried on
with the utmost activity; the garrisons were withdrawn
from the posts on the Hudson; and the troops stationed at
Newport, whom Washington had urged should be surprised,
were finally transferred to New-York.
But notwithstanding the most anxious solicitations to bring
the French admiral to a decision, it was ascertained that no
determinate resolution would be taken by him; and after
all the ardent hopes which had been encouraged, and the
mighty achievements which were to be performed, the
French fleet, early in the month of November, abandoned
the American coast, and proceeded to France ;-- thus ful-
filling the prophecy of Mr. Duane, "that the Count's planet
could not be trusted. "
All prospect of active operations by the main army hav-
ing ceased, Colonel Hamilton, weary of inactivity, and con-
vinced that the policy of the enemy would henceforth direct
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? HAMILTON. 229
their efforts to the subjugation of the weaker states, influ-
enced also by a desire to join his friend Laurens, and to
obtain a separate command, applied to Washington for per-
mission to proceed to the south; but the proposal did not
meet the views of the commander-in-chief, and his purpose
was relinquished.
The private letters which are to be found among Hamilton's
papers, written at this uninteresting period of the revolution,
have little other value than to exhibit the warm affections
which prevailed in the army towards him, especially among
the foreign officers, with whom his familiarity with their
language, and easy manners, placed him on the happiest
terms. Their situation, in a country as yet little advanced
in the arts of social life, was, to men of artificial habits,
educated amid all the luxuries of a court, often painful;
and they gladly availed themselves of his influence with the
commander-in-chief,--relating to him their thousand wants,
and making him the confidant of their little secrets. Often
as he was embarrassed by the extravagance of their expec-
tations, he seems always to have indulged the kindest feel-
ings towards them, and he frequently looked back to the
services which he had rendered to those gallant men, with
great satisfaction.
The introduction of these letters would too much inter-
rupt the progress of this narrative; but the following will
be perused with interest, as giving a brief but expressive
picture of the condition of the soldiers. It is from Fleury,
dated Light Infantry Camp, Highlands.
"DEAR COL.
"The officers of the two first battalions of light infantry,
which I actually command, have applied to me for leave to
run over these craggy mountains barefooted, and beg that I
would write to head quarters to have an order from his ex-
cellency to get a pare shoes for each. The shoes they
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? 230 the life or
hint to are at New-Windsor, and their intention is to pay
for.
"Do not be so greedy for shoes as for my blanket, and
think that the most urgent necessity has determined their
application. They are quite barefooted.
"N. B. As his excellency could form a very advantageous
idea of our condition in shoes, the appearance of the offi-
cers who dined to-day at head quarters and were not quite
without, I beg you would observe to him, if necessary, that
each company has furnished a shoe for their dressing"
This intimate intercourse with these gentlemen, was often
turned to a useful purpose. It enabled him to keep up a
correspondence with France, and gave him the channel for
many communications which reached her court, free from
all official formality. With Du Plessis, who was in favour,
he corresponded in cypher, and it is stated by Colonel
Fish, as one of the incidents of'this intimacy, that Hamilton
was the first person to suggest the introduction of a French
army into the United States. *
* In a memoir of Colonel Fish, of date March twenty-first, 1822, it is sta-
ted, "In one of our confidential conversations, Hamilton, speaking of the
Marquis La Fayette, said, 'The United States are under infinite obligations
to him beyond what is known, not only for his valour and good conduct as
major-general of our army, but for his good offices and influence in our behalf
with the court of France. The French army now here, co-operating with us,
would not have been in this country but through his means. ' He then said,
that for some considerable time previous to the arrival of the French army
under Count Rochambeau, he (Colonel Hamilton,) had conceived the idea
and had weighed in his own mind the propriety of such a measure, and hav-
ing satisfied himself on the subject, he had suggested the idea to the Marquis La
Fayette, expressing to him at the same time, not only the powerful effect that
would be produced in our army and country generally by the introduction of a
small military force from France to co-operate with us, but the increased effect
that would result should the Marquis himself be appointed to the command.
This project met a welcome reception, and after some explanatory remarks as
to the details of the plan, the Marquis, with all the zeal and promptitude which
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? HAMILTON. 231
The sprightly tone which these accomplished men im-
parted to the camp, only caused the absence of Laurens,
who added grace to every circle in which he moved, and
interest to every subject on which he spoke, and who, led
by attachment to his native state, had repaired to her amid
her difficulties, to be the more regretted.
On his departure from head quarters, Hamilton, who had
seen similar corps in the West Indies, which suggested the
idea of raising a body of black levies for the protection of
South Carolina, gave him the following letter of introduc-
tion to Mr. Jay.
HAMILTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
BEAR SIR,
Colonel Laurens, who will have the honour of delivering
you this letter, is on his way to South Carolina, on a pro-
ject which I think in the present situation of affairs there, is
a very good one, and deserves every kind of support and
encouragement. This is, to raise two, three, or four bat-
talions of negroes, with the assistance of the government of
that state, by contributions from the owners, in proportion
to the number they possess. If you should think proper to
enter upon the subject with him, he will give you a detail of
his plan. He wishes to have it recommended by congress
to the state, and as an inducement, that they would engage
to take their battalions into continental pay.
It appears to me, that an expedient of this kind in the
characterised him, addressed the French government and their ambassador
here on the subject, urging the advantages which would result to both nations
from having a French military force in this country. This proposition was
immediately patronized and enforced by the family and connexions of the Mar-
quis, which were then in power and great influence in France, and adopted by
that government. I deem it a duty incumbent on me, and a tribute due to his
memory, that the knowledge of this fact should be recorded as an additional
evidence of his pre-eminent services to his country. "
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? 232 THE LIFE OF
present state of southern affairs, is the most rational that
can be adopted, and promises very important advantages.
Indeed, I hardly see how a sufficient force can be collected
in that quarter without it; and the enemy's operations
there are growing infinitely serious and formidable. I have
not the least doubt that the negroes will make very excel-
lent soldiers, with proper management; and I will venture
to pronounce that they cannot be put in better hands than
those of Mr. Laurens. He has all the zeal, intelligence, and
enterprise, and every other qualification requisite to suc-
ceed in such an undertaking. It is a maxim with some
great military judges, that with sensible officers, soldiers
can hardly be too stupid; and on this principle it is thought
that the Russians would make the best soldiers in the world
if they were under other officers than their own. The
King of Prussia is among the number who maintains this
doctrine, and has a very emphatic saying on the occasion,
which I do not exactly recollect. I mention this because I
have frequently heard it objected to the scheme of embodying
negroes, that they are too stupid to make soldiers. This is
so far from appearing to me a valid objection, that I think
their want of cultivation, (for their natural faculties are pro-
bably as good as ours,) joined to that habit of subordination
which they acquire from a life of servitude, will enable
them sooner to become soldiers than our white inhabitants.
Let officers be men of sense and sentiment, and the nearer
the soldiers approach to machines, perhaps the better.
I foresee that this project will have to combat much oppo-
sition from prejudice and self-interest. The contempt we
have been taught 10 entertain for the blacks, makes us fan-
cy many things that are founded neither in reason nor ex-
perience; and an unwillingness to part with property of so
valuable a kind, will furnish a thousand arguments to show
the impracticability or pernicious tendency of a scheme
which requires such sacrifices. But it should be consider-
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? HAMILTON. 233
ed, that if we do not make use of them in this way, the ene-
my probably will, and that the best way to counteract the
temptations they will holdout, will be, to offer them ourselves.
An essential part of the plan is, to give them their free-
dom with their swords. Thiswill secure their fidelity, animate
their courage, and, I believe, will have a good influence upon
those who remain, by opening a door to their emancipation.
This circumstance, I confess, has no small weight in indu-
cing me to wish the success of the project; for the dictates
of humanity and true policy equally interest me in favour
of this unfortunate class of men.
When I am on the subject of southern affairs, you will
excuse the liberty I take in saying, that I do not think mea-
sures sufficiently vigorous are pursuing for our defence in
that quarter. Except the few regular troops of South
Carolina, we seem to be relying wholly on the militia
of that and the two neighbouring states. These will
soon grow impatient of service, and leave our affairs in a
miserable situation. No considerable force can be uni-
formly kept up by militia; to say nothing of the many ob-
vious and well-known inconveniences that attend this kind
of troops. I would beg leave to suggest, sir, that no time
ought to be lost in making a draft of militia to serve a
twelve-month, from the states of North and South Caro-
lina and Virginia. But South Carolina, being very weak
in her population of whites, may be excused from the draft,
on condition of furnishing the black battalions. The two
others may furnish about three thousand five hundred men,
and be exempted, on that account, from sending any suc-
cours to this army. The states to the northward of Virginia
will be fully able to give competent supplies to the army
here, and it will require all the force and exertions of the
three states I have mentioned, to withstand the storm
which has arisen, and is increasing in the south.
The troops drafted must be thrown into battalions, and
vol. i. 30
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? 234 THE LIFE OF
officered in the best manner we can. The supernumerary
officers may be made use of as far as they will go. If
arms are wanted for their troops, and no better way of
supplying them is to be found, we should endeavour to levy
a contribution of arms upon the militia at large. Extraor-
dinary exigencies demand extraordinary means. I fear
this southern business will become a very grave one.
With the truest respect and esteem, I am, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Alex. Hamilton.
Head Quarters, March 14, 1779.
His Excellency John Jay, President of Congress.
The following extract of a letter from Laurens to Hamil-
ton, refers to this subject.
LAURENS TO HAMILTON.
Charleston.
Ternant will relate to you how many violent struggles I
have had between duty and inclination -- how much my
heart was with you, while I appeared to be most actively
employed here. But it appears to me that I should be in-
excusable in the light of a citizen, if I did not continue my
utmost efforts for carrying the plan of the black levies into
execution, while there remain the smallest hopes of success.
Our army is reduced to nothing almost, by the departure
of the Virginians. Scott's arrival will scarcely restore us
to our ancient number. If the enemy destine the reinforce-
ments from Great Britain to this quarter, as in policy they
ought to do, that number will be insufficient for the security
of our country. The Governor, among other matters to be
laid before the House of Assembly, intends to propose the
completing our continental battalions by drafts from the mi-
litia. This measure, I am told, is so unpopular that there
is no hope of succeeding in it. Either this must be adopted,
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? HAMILTON. 235
or the black levies, or the state will fall a victim to the im-
providence of its inhabitants.
The House of Representatives have had a longer recess
than usual, occasioned by the number of members in the
field. It will be convened, however, in a few days. I in-
tend to qualify, and make a final effort. Oh, that I were a
Demosthenes! The Athenians never deserved a more bit-
ter exprobation than our countrymen.
General Clinton's movement, and your march in conse-
quence, made me wish to be with you. If any thing im-
portant should be done in your quarter, while I am doing
daily penance here, and making successless harangues, I
shall execrate my stars, and be out of humour with the
world. I entreat you, my dear friend, write me as fre-
quently as circumstances will permit, and enlighten me
upon what is going forward.
Adieu. My love to our colleagues. I am afraid I was
so thoughtless as to omit my remembrances to Gibbes.
Tell him that I am always his sincere well-wisher, and hope
to laugh with him again ere long. Adieu, again.
Yours ever,
John Laurens.
P. S. You know my opinion of Ternant's value. His
health and affairs call him to the North. If you can render
him any services, they will be worthily bestowed. We have
not hitherto availed ourselves of his zeal and talent.
The following letter from Hamilton to Laurens is the
only one which has met our inquiries. From the interest
which this cotemporary correspondence gives to the story
of the Revolution, it is to be regretted that so few re-
mains exist of the extensive communications which he kept
up with the officers of the army; the want of which pre-
vents that individuality being given to the early history of
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? 236 THE LIFE OF
our country, from which, now that the general outlines are
known, increased interest can only be derived.
HAMILTON TO LAURENS.
"Cold in my professions -- warm in my friendships -- I
wish, my dear Laurens, it were in my power, by actions,
rather than words, to convince you that I love you. I shall
only tell you, that till you bid us adieu, I hardly knew the
value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed,
my friend, it was not well done. You . know the opinion I
entertain of mankind; and how much it is my desire to pre-
serve myself free from particular attachments, and to keep
my happiness independent of the caprices of others. You
should not have taken advantage of my sensibility, to steal
into my affections without my consent. But as you have
done it, and as we are generally indulgent to those we love,
I shall not scruple to pardon the fraud you have committed,
on one condition; that for my sake, if not for your own,
you will continue to merit the partiality which you have so
artfully instilled into me.
"I have received your two letters; one from Philadel-
phia, the other from Chester. I am pleased with your
success so far; and I hope the favourable omens that pre-
cede your application to the Assembly, may have as fa-
vourable an issue; provided the situation of affairs should
require it, which I fear will be the case. But, both for
your country's sake, and for my own, I wish the enemy
may be gone from Georgia before you arrive; and that
you may be obliged to return, and share the fortunes of
your old friends. In respect to the commission which you
received from Congress, all the world must think your con-
duct perfectly right. Indeed, your ideas upon this occasion
seem not to have their wonted accuracy; and you have had
scruples, in a great measure, without foundation. By your
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? HAMILTON. 237
appointment as aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief,
you had as much the rank of lieutenant-colonel as any offi-
cer in the line. Your receiving a commission as lieutenant-
colonel, from the date of that appointment, does not in the
least injure or interfere with one of them; unless by virtue
of it you are introduced into a particular regiment, in vio-
lation of the right of succession, which is not the case at
present, neither is it a necessary consequence. As you
were going to command a battalion, it was proper you
should have a commission; and if this commission had
been dated posterior to your appointment as aid-de-camp,
I should have considered it derogatory to your former rank,
to mine, and to that of the whole corps. The only thing
I see wrong in the affair is this: congress, by their conduct,
both on the former and present occasion, appear to have
intended to confer a privilege, an honour, a mark of dis-
tinction, a something upon you, which they withheld from
other gentlemen of the family. This carries with it an air
of preference, which, though we can all truly say we love
your character and admire your military merit, cannot fail
to give some of us uneasy sensations. But in this, my dear,
I wish you to understand me well. The blame, if there is
any, falls wholly upon congress. I repeat it, your conduct
has been perfectly right, and even laudable ; -- you reject-
ed the offer when you ought to have rejected it, and you
accepted it when you ought to have accepted it; and let
me add, with a degree of over-scrupulous delicacy. It was
necessary to your project. Your project was the public
good; and I should have done the same. In hesitating,
you have refined on the refinements of generosity.
"There is a total stagnation of news here. Gates has
refused the Indian command. Sullivan is come to take it.
The former has lately given a fresh proof of his impudence,
his folly, and his *********. 'Tis no great matter; but a
peculiarity in the case prevents my saying what.
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? 238 THE LIFE OF
"Fleury shall be taken care of. All the family send love.
In this join the General and Mrs. Washington; and what is
oest, it is not in the style of ceremony, but sincerity. "
The departure of D'Estaing leaving little prospect of ac-
tive operations at the south, Laurens again rejoined the
staff of Washington. On his return, he thus writes to his
friend, from Philadelphia, where congress was in session.
LAURENS TO HAMILTON.
December 18,1779.
MY DEAR HAMILTON,
On my arrival in town, I was informed by the President,
that congress had suspended the business of appointing a
secretary to their minister plenipotentiary at Versailles un-
til my return, in hopes that I might still be prevailed upon
to accept the office. I replied, that I thought my letter upon
the subject sufficiently explicit, and assured him of my sin-
cere desire to be excused from serving in that capacity at
the present juncture of our affairs.
He urged the unanimity of the choice with respect to me
-- the difficulty of uniting the suffrages of all parties, in case
of a new nomination, and the advantages of this union. Se-
veral delegates of congress declared to me the embarrass-
ment of congress since I had declined. One, in particular,
suggested to me his apprehension of interest being made for
a late delegate of New-York, who is candidate for the office,
and to whom the world in general allows greater credit for
his abilities than his integrity; and said, "he was determi-
ned to oppose him with all his influence. " When I quitted
town the sixteenth, these matters crowded into my mind.
I fell into a train of serious reflections and self-examination,
-- endeavoured to investigate whether I had acted conso-
nantly to the xaXov xai ayadov, and fulfilled the duties of a
good citizen in the transaction. In fine, I agitated the grand
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? HAMILTON. 239
question, whether a citizen has a right to decline any office
to which his countrymen appoint him; upon what that
right is founded, and whether it existed in my case.
After undergoing the severest conflict I ever experien-
ced, sometimes reproaching, sometimes justifying myself,
pursuing my journey, or turning retrograde, as the argu-
ments on the one side or the other appeared to prevail, I
determined that I had been deficient in the duties of a good
citizen. I returned to Philadelphia, communicated my sen-
timents to the President and two other members; declared
to them that I thought it incumbent on me, in the first place,
to recommend a person equally qualified in point of inte-
grity, and much better in point of ability. That if, unhap-
pily, they could not agree on Colonel Hamilton, and that I
was absolutely necessary to exclude a dangerous person, or
to prevent pernicious delays, I should think it my duty to
obey the orders of congress. The persons now in nomina-
tion, are, Colonel Hamilton, Mr. Lovell, Mr. G. Morris,
Major Stewart. Great stress is laid upon the ability and
integrity of the person to be employed in this commission.
I have given my testimony of you in this and the other
equally essential points.
My love, as usual. Adieu.
John Laurens.
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? CHAPTER XI.
[1780. ]
( The war of the revolution having become a war of
finance, Hamilton, with a mind awakened to every exigency
of the country, now directed his attention to the embar-
rassments of the treasury, and made his first effort in rela-
tion to its finances. \
In connexion with this subject, a brief allusion to the state
of the public credit, will not be deemed inappropriate. But
for abetter understanding of the national necessities, it may
be proper to advert to the prospects of the country at this
time.
We have seen the previous year pass away without any
occurrences of moment, in a military aspect; and the only
feature in the picture which engages the attention, is the
reversed attitude of the belligerents. The Americans, no
longer flying from a triumphant enemy, but seeking every
opportunity to attack them; -- the British, alarmed for their
safety, tenaciously covering themselves under the protec-
tion of their fortifications, and rejoicing at the fluctuating
counsels of the French, to which they were indebted for
their security.
In the states north of the Potomac, the present year pre-
sents a spectacle of little variety. Amidst discomfiture,
disaster, and local dissensions, it had been ascertained, that
upon them no permanent impression could be made.
Hoping that the alliance with France might be dissolved,
encouraged by the distresses which its embarrassed finan-
ces had extended over the country, and which appeared to
threaten an end of its resources, and stimulated by those
feelings to which a proud and gallant nation would natu-
vol. i. 31
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? 242 THE LITE OF
rally be aroused by the interference of a foreign power, in
their domestic broils, the British ministry still maintained
the contest with obstinacy, and determined to subjugate
the southern states, in the vain hope, that as their sufferings
would be greater, their patriotism might be less than that
of their northern brethren.
The result of these attempts was seen in the capture of
Charleston, after a gallant and protracted defence, and in
the defeat of General Gates at Camden; events which sus-
tained the ministry, and enabled it to obtain a vote of credit
for five-and-twenty millions sterling, to continue the war.
These occurrences, the disappointment which had fol-
lowed the highly excited expectations from the co-operation
of France, and the determination which had been manifest-
ed by the British government, to persevere in the conflict,
induced a state of feeling in congress widely different from
the delusive security which palsied their previous measures,
and had led them to turn not only an inattentive, but an
indignant ear to the urgent remonstrances of the command-
er-in-chief and his circle of friends, who still foresaw a long
series of obstacles to be overcome, before their independ-
ence would be achieved.
The difficulty of raising troops, which had so often ex-
posed the army to disgrace and destruction, had so often
been surmounted by the energy of Washington, that, per-
plexing as it had been, it was but a minor evil compared
with the alarming state of the finances, and the great and
rapid depreciation of the currency, upon the issues of which
congress were compelled principally to rely.
The report of the Board of Treasury, in the autumn of
seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, had shown an emission
of bills in circulation amounting to the enormous sum of one
hundred and sixty millions of dollars, together with a pub-
lic debt of near forty millions, in foreign and domestic loans;
while the whole product of the latter, from the commence-
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? HAMILTON. 243
ment of the war, had but little exceeded thirty millions,
and of the taxes three millions.
With the faint hope of sustaining their credit, congress
passed a vote, on the first of September of the same year,
pledging themselves not to issue, in bills of credit, a sum
exceeding two hundred millions; which they proclaimed to
the country, accompanied with an exposition of the extent
of the national resources, and an assurance that full confi-
dence might be placed in the public faith.
The wants of the treasury had been so pressing, that in-
termediate this declaration, and the end of the following
month of November, the balance of this limited sum was
issued, and congress were left destitute even of this appa-
rently last resource.
In this emergency, the committee of Ways and Means
adopted, as the only remaining expedient, the negotiation of
bills on the American envoys in Europe; which, through
the recent advices of Monsieur De la Luzerne, they had
reason to expect would be provided for by the aid of France.
The sale of these bills was directed to be made at the
rate of twenty-five dollars in continental bills of credit, for
four shillings and sixpence sterling, with the condition, that
the purchasers should lend a sum equal to the cost of the
bills, at an interest of six per cent.
In March, seventeen hundred and eighty, the loan which
had been authorized on the basis of an advance of two
month's interest to the lender, not being filled, a new emis-
sion of bills was ordered, at the rate of forty for one, paya-
ble in six years, bearing an interest of five per cent. , to be
issued on the faith of the individual states, in proportion to
their quotas, and a revision of the laws recommended, which
rendered the continental bills a legal tender. *
* There were, at this time, three kinds of paper afloat: -- one bearing an
interest payable in sterling money, one an interest payable in currency, and
the third without interest. The two first were called Loan Office Certificates,
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?
? 224 THE LIFE OF
diate ruin, from the embarrassment of our finances and a
train of heavy calamities, they see their grand army cooped
up in garrison, their forts taken from them by unparalleled
valour, the country of their savage allies ravaged and de-
stroyed without a single effort for their protection, and a
capital naval armament, equipped by a single state, which
it required misconduct perhaps on our part, and certainly
the most hazardous efforts on theirs, to defeat? The con-
dition of our enemies, instead of being formidable, as they
predicted, seems daily to become more feeble, and instead
of the vigorous and decisive operations which can alone
have revived their declining cause and kept up the spi-
rits of their infatuated adherents, we see nothing but lan-
guor, discontent, and disgust, in their army, their fleets, and
their councils. Their king alone, as if hardened by a judi-
cial blindness, persists in his obstinate folly, and courts the
destruction of the British empire. If, in addition to this,
sickness has taken a deep root among his troops, a decisive
period must, in all probability, speedily be put to their mad
career.
"Count D'Estaing appears to have the ball at his feet.
His command of the ocean must be undisputed, when he is
joined by the Spanish squadron lately at Havannah. He
may divide his force, subdue the West India Islands, and
assist us in capturing the remnant of our enemies on this
continent. I have, however, some distrust of the Count's
planet. His former ill luck on our coast has led me to
think that he is no Felix. How do you like the new minis-
ter from France V
The gentleman here referred to was Monsieur de la Lu-
zerne, who is thus briefly noticed in a letter from Baron
Steuben to Colonel Hamilton.
"M. de la Luzerne desires me to join him on his route,
to accompany him to head quarters. I shall depart on Tues-
day morning for Providence, where I shall require three
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? HAMILTON. 225
days to review the regiments; after which I shall return
immediately to Hartford to join the minister.
"I promised to give you a picture of his new excellency.
He is about thirty-six years of age, though he appears
younger. In the last war he was aid-de-camp to Marshal
Broglio. He appears to me to be a man of solid sense, and
less presumptuous than the people of quality of that country
usually are. His manners are prepossessing; and they
would be more so if he could speak English. His charac-
ter appears to me good; and he is less reserved than Euro-
pean ministers usually are. His personal appearance will
not displease the ladies of Philadelphia. He is a young
chevalier of Malta, who is not so much imbrowned by his
crusades, but that the American beauties will take pains to
teach him English in a short time. His secretary, M. de
Marbois, is a counsellor of Parliament, from Metz in Lor-
raine -- speaks good English; and is a man who shows much
information and judgement. " Hamilton briefly replied:
"Dear Baron -- I am at this moment honoured with
your letter of the 30th ultimo, and have communicated that
part of it which concerns M. de la Luzerne to the General;
agreeably to which we shall take our measures on the re-
ception of this private public gentleman. We had prepared
a party of cavalry to receive him at Fishkill, on the suppo-
sition that he would set out with an escort from Boston;
but we have now sent orders to the party immediately to
take the route you mention to Hartford, and there place
themselves under your orders.
"The General requests you will make his respectful com-
pliments to your chevalier, and gives you carte blanche to
say every handsome thing you think proper in his name, of
the pleasure which this visit will give him. I have no doubt
that your portrait, which appears to be executed en maitre,
will be found a just representation of the original; and if he
vol. i. 29
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? 226 THE LIFE OF
is as happy as his predecessor in gaining the esteem and con-
fidence of the men of this country, with so many talents to
conciliate the leaders, his ministry will not be unsuccessful.
I augur well for him. General Washington proposes to
meet him, as a private gentleman, at Fishkill. "
The interview, at which Hamilton was present, was of
the highest importance. A full and candid statement was
given to the French minister of the resources and embar-
rassments of the nation; and he was duly impressed with
the importance of obtaining such aids as the finances of the
country required.
The rumoured approach of Count D'Estaing being soon
after confirmed by despatches from congress, Washington,
who had stationed Major Lee in Monmouth county, with
instructions to communicate to him the situation and force
of the enemy, and to propose some preliminary movements,
addressed a letter to the Count on the fourth of October,
informing him that he had called in reinforcements from
the neighbouring states, and that he was taking measures
to prepare for a co-operation, with all the despatch and
vigour his circumstances would permit, -- pointing out to
him in detail the situation of New-York and Rhode-Island;
suggesting the necessary measures to render an attempt in
either port successful; and disclosing, in an explicit man-
ner, all the difficulties attendant upon the enterprise.
On the seventh of October, he farther writes: " Since my
letter to your excellency on the fourth instant, I have had
the honour of a visit from his excellency Monsieur Gerard.
In the conversation we had relative to a co-operation with
the fleet and troops under your command, he expressed his
doubts of its being possible for you to continue such a length
of time as may be essential to the success of the undertaking,
and which alone could justify me in going into those exten-
sive preparations absolutely necessary on our part. I have,
therefore, appointed Brigadier General Du Portail and Co-
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? HAMILTON 227
bnel Hamilton to wait upon your excellency as speedily as
possible, and explain to you fully my ideas of the proposed
co-operation; the means we shall be able to employ; the
obstacles we shall have to encounter on our side; the plans
which it may be proper to pursue, and the measures which
are taking, and may be taken by the enemy to counteract
them. This will enable your excellency to determine what
you can with propriety undertake. I shall only add, that
if your excellency will engage to co-operate with your whole
naval and land force against the enemy's fleet and army at
New-York, till the winter is so far advanced, that the ice
will make it impracticable to remain with your fleet any
longer in port, I will bring twenty-five thousand effective
men into the field, and will exert all the resources of the
country in a vigorous and decided co-operation.
"Without this assurance on the part of your excellency, it
would be inconsistent with my duty to the public, and to
the common cause, to incur the expense and hazard which
would be inseparable from the enterprise, and the more
disagreeable consequences which would attend a failure.
I flatter myself your excellency will be fully sensible of the
weight of the reasons on which this declaration is founded,
and will approve the frankness with which it is made, and
with which I have instructed General Du Portail and Co-
lonel Hamilton to disclose to you every circumstance, and
every consideration, with which it is necessary you should
be acquainted. If your determination should be in favour
of the enterprise, I request you will honour me with a line
expressive of your ultimate intentions, and that you will
communicate to the gentlemen who now wait upon you, the
previous measures you propose to pursue, and your senti-
ments of the most eligible plan of co-operation. I shall act
in consequence, till the period arrives for concerting a final
and more determinate plan.
"I would now observe to your excellency, that you may
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? 228 THE LIFE OF
repose the most implicit confidence in General Du Portail
and Colonel Hamilton, and I accordingly recommend them
to your best civilities and esteem; and having done so, I
have only to renew the assurances of that sincere attach-
ment and perfect respect, with which I have the honour
to be,
"Your excellency's most obedient servant,
"George Washington. "
His Excellency Count D'Estaing.
The utmost interest was, at this moment, awakened
throughout the country. An interesting crisis was expect-
ed; and a long correspondence between Washington and
Hamilton ensued, as the various intelligence was received,
which would probably affect the intended enterprise. These
letters fully disclose the anxiety of the commander-in-chief,
to fulfil, by a decisive blow, the high wrought expectations
of the people. The enemy were, at this time, filled with
dismay. The fortifications at New-York were carried on
with the utmost activity; the garrisons were withdrawn
from the posts on the Hudson; and the troops stationed at
Newport, whom Washington had urged should be surprised,
were finally transferred to New-York.
But notwithstanding the most anxious solicitations to bring
the French admiral to a decision, it was ascertained that no
determinate resolution would be taken by him; and after
all the ardent hopes which had been encouraged, and the
mighty achievements which were to be performed, the
French fleet, early in the month of November, abandoned
the American coast, and proceeded to France ;-- thus ful-
filling the prophecy of Mr. Duane, "that the Count's planet
could not be trusted. "
All prospect of active operations by the main army hav-
ing ceased, Colonel Hamilton, weary of inactivity, and con-
vinced that the policy of the enemy would henceforth direct
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? HAMILTON. 229
their efforts to the subjugation of the weaker states, influ-
enced also by a desire to join his friend Laurens, and to
obtain a separate command, applied to Washington for per-
mission to proceed to the south; but the proposal did not
meet the views of the commander-in-chief, and his purpose
was relinquished.
The private letters which are to be found among Hamilton's
papers, written at this uninteresting period of the revolution,
have little other value than to exhibit the warm affections
which prevailed in the army towards him, especially among
the foreign officers, with whom his familiarity with their
language, and easy manners, placed him on the happiest
terms. Their situation, in a country as yet little advanced
in the arts of social life, was, to men of artificial habits,
educated amid all the luxuries of a court, often painful;
and they gladly availed themselves of his influence with the
commander-in-chief,--relating to him their thousand wants,
and making him the confidant of their little secrets. Often
as he was embarrassed by the extravagance of their expec-
tations, he seems always to have indulged the kindest feel-
ings towards them, and he frequently looked back to the
services which he had rendered to those gallant men, with
great satisfaction.
The introduction of these letters would too much inter-
rupt the progress of this narrative; but the following will
be perused with interest, as giving a brief but expressive
picture of the condition of the soldiers. It is from Fleury,
dated Light Infantry Camp, Highlands.
"DEAR COL.
"The officers of the two first battalions of light infantry,
which I actually command, have applied to me for leave to
run over these craggy mountains barefooted, and beg that I
would write to head quarters to have an order from his ex-
cellency to get a pare shoes for each. The shoes they
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? 230 the life or
hint to are at New-Windsor, and their intention is to pay
for.
"Do not be so greedy for shoes as for my blanket, and
think that the most urgent necessity has determined their
application. They are quite barefooted.
"N. B. As his excellency could form a very advantageous
idea of our condition in shoes, the appearance of the offi-
cers who dined to-day at head quarters and were not quite
without, I beg you would observe to him, if necessary, that
each company has furnished a shoe for their dressing"
This intimate intercourse with these gentlemen, was often
turned to a useful purpose. It enabled him to keep up a
correspondence with France, and gave him the channel for
many communications which reached her court, free from
all official formality. With Du Plessis, who was in favour,
he corresponded in cypher, and it is stated by Colonel
Fish, as one of the incidents of'this intimacy, that Hamilton
was the first person to suggest the introduction of a French
army into the United States. *
* In a memoir of Colonel Fish, of date March twenty-first, 1822, it is sta-
ted, "In one of our confidential conversations, Hamilton, speaking of the
Marquis La Fayette, said, 'The United States are under infinite obligations
to him beyond what is known, not only for his valour and good conduct as
major-general of our army, but for his good offices and influence in our behalf
with the court of France. The French army now here, co-operating with us,
would not have been in this country but through his means. ' He then said,
that for some considerable time previous to the arrival of the French army
under Count Rochambeau, he (Colonel Hamilton,) had conceived the idea
and had weighed in his own mind the propriety of such a measure, and hav-
ing satisfied himself on the subject, he had suggested the idea to the Marquis La
Fayette, expressing to him at the same time, not only the powerful effect that
would be produced in our army and country generally by the introduction of a
small military force from France to co-operate with us, but the increased effect
that would result should the Marquis himself be appointed to the command.
This project met a welcome reception, and after some explanatory remarks as
to the details of the plan, the Marquis, with all the zeal and promptitude which
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? HAMILTON. 231
The sprightly tone which these accomplished men im-
parted to the camp, only caused the absence of Laurens,
who added grace to every circle in which he moved, and
interest to every subject on which he spoke, and who, led
by attachment to his native state, had repaired to her amid
her difficulties, to be the more regretted.
On his departure from head quarters, Hamilton, who had
seen similar corps in the West Indies, which suggested the
idea of raising a body of black levies for the protection of
South Carolina, gave him the following letter of introduc-
tion to Mr. Jay.
HAMILTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
BEAR SIR,
Colonel Laurens, who will have the honour of delivering
you this letter, is on his way to South Carolina, on a pro-
ject which I think in the present situation of affairs there, is
a very good one, and deserves every kind of support and
encouragement. This is, to raise two, three, or four bat-
talions of negroes, with the assistance of the government of
that state, by contributions from the owners, in proportion
to the number they possess. If you should think proper to
enter upon the subject with him, he will give you a detail of
his plan. He wishes to have it recommended by congress
to the state, and as an inducement, that they would engage
to take their battalions into continental pay.
It appears to me, that an expedient of this kind in the
characterised him, addressed the French government and their ambassador
here on the subject, urging the advantages which would result to both nations
from having a French military force in this country. This proposition was
immediately patronized and enforced by the family and connexions of the Mar-
quis, which were then in power and great influence in France, and adopted by
that government. I deem it a duty incumbent on me, and a tribute due to his
memory, that the knowledge of this fact should be recorded as an additional
evidence of his pre-eminent services to his country. "
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? 232 THE LIFE OF
present state of southern affairs, is the most rational that
can be adopted, and promises very important advantages.
Indeed, I hardly see how a sufficient force can be collected
in that quarter without it; and the enemy's operations
there are growing infinitely serious and formidable. I have
not the least doubt that the negroes will make very excel-
lent soldiers, with proper management; and I will venture
to pronounce that they cannot be put in better hands than
those of Mr. Laurens. He has all the zeal, intelligence, and
enterprise, and every other qualification requisite to suc-
ceed in such an undertaking. It is a maxim with some
great military judges, that with sensible officers, soldiers
can hardly be too stupid; and on this principle it is thought
that the Russians would make the best soldiers in the world
if they were under other officers than their own. The
King of Prussia is among the number who maintains this
doctrine, and has a very emphatic saying on the occasion,
which I do not exactly recollect. I mention this because I
have frequently heard it objected to the scheme of embodying
negroes, that they are too stupid to make soldiers. This is
so far from appearing to me a valid objection, that I think
their want of cultivation, (for their natural faculties are pro-
bably as good as ours,) joined to that habit of subordination
which they acquire from a life of servitude, will enable
them sooner to become soldiers than our white inhabitants.
Let officers be men of sense and sentiment, and the nearer
the soldiers approach to machines, perhaps the better.
I foresee that this project will have to combat much oppo-
sition from prejudice and self-interest. The contempt we
have been taught 10 entertain for the blacks, makes us fan-
cy many things that are founded neither in reason nor ex-
perience; and an unwillingness to part with property of so
valuable a kind, will furnish a thousand arguments to show
the impracticability or pernicious tendency of a scheme
which requires such sacrifices. But it should be consider-
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? HAMILTON. 233
ed, that if we do not make use of them in this way, the ene-
my probably will, and that the best way to counteract the
temptations they will holdout, will be, to offer them ourselves.
An essential part of the plan is, to give them their free-
dom with their swords. Thiswill secure their fidelity, animate
their courage, and, I believe, will have a good influence upon
those who remain, by opening a door to their emancipation.
This circumstance, I confess, has no small weight in indu-
cing me to wish the success of the project; for the dictates
of humanity and true policy equally interest me in favour
of this unfortunate class of men.
When I am on the subject of southern affairs, you will
excuse the liberty I take in saying, that I do not think mea-
sures sufficiently vigorous are pursuing for our defence in
that quarter. Except the few regular troops of South
Carolina, we seem to be relying wholly on the militia
of that and the two neighbouring states. These will
soon grow impatient of service, and leave our affairs in a
miserable situation. No considerable force can be uni-
formly kept up by militia; to say nothing of the many ob-
vious and well-known inconveniences that attend this kind
of troops. I would beg leave to suggest, sir, that no time
ought to be lost in making a draft of militia to serve a
twelve-month, from the states of North and South Caro-
lina and Virginia. But South Carolina, being very weak
in her population of whites, may be excused from the draft,
on condition of furnishing the black battalions. The two
others may furnish about three thousand five hundred men,
and be exempted, on that account, from sending any suc-
cours to this army. The states to the northward of Virginia
will be fully able to give competent supplies to the army
here, and it will require all the force and exertions of the
three states I have mentioned, to withstand the storm
which has arisen, and is increasing in the south.
The troops drafted must be thrown into battalions, and
vol. i. 30
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? 234 THE LIFE OF
officered in the best manner we can. The supernumerary
officers may be made use of as far as they will go. If
arms are wanted for their troops, and no better way of
supplying them is to be found, we should endeavour to levy
a contribution of arms upon the militia at large. Extraor-
dinary exigencies demand extraordinary means. I fear
this southern business will become a very grave one.
With the truest respect and esteem, I am, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Alex. Hamilton.
Head Quarters, March 14, 1779.
His Excellency John Jay, President of Congress.
The following extract of a letter from Laurens to Hamil-
ton, refers to this subject.
LAURENS TO HAMILTON.
Charleston.
Ternant will relate to you how many violent struggles I
have had between duty and inclination -- how much my
heart was with you, while I appeared to be most actively
employed here. But it appears to me that I should be in-
excusable in the light of a citizen, if I did not continue my
utmost efforts for carrying the plan of the black levies into
execution, while there remain the smallest hopes of success.
Our army is reduced to nothing almost, by the departure
of the Virginians. Scott's arrival will scarcely restore us
to our ancient number. If the enemy destine the reinforce-
ments from Great Britain to this quarter, as in policy they
ought to do, that number will be insufficient for the security
of our country. The Governor, among other matters to be
laid before the House of Assembly, intends to propose the
completing our continental battalions by drafts from the mi-
litia. This measure, I am told, is so unpopular that there
is no hope of succeeding in it. Either this must be adopted,
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? HAMILTON. 235
or the black levies, or the state will fall a victim to the im-
providence of its inhabitants.
The House of Representatives have had a longer recess
than usual, occasioned by the number of members in the
field. It will be convened, however, in a few days. I in-
tend to qualify, and make a final effort. Oh, that I were a
Demosthenes! The Athenians never deserved a more bit-
ter exprobation than our countrymen.
General Clinton's movement, and your march in conse-
quence, made me wish to be with you. If any thing im-
portant should be done in your quarter, while I am doing
daily penance here, and making successless harangues, I
shall execrate my stars, and be out of humour with the
world. I entreat you, my dear friend, write me as fre-
quently as circumstances will permit, and enlighten me
upon what is going forward.
Adieu. My love to our colleagues. I am afraid I was
so thoughtless as to omit my remembrances to Gibbes.
Tell him that I am always his sincere well-wisher, and hope
to laugh with him again ere long. Adieu, again.
Yours ever,
John Laurens.
P. S. You know my opinion of Ternant's value. His
health and affairs call him to the North. If you can render
him any services, they will be worthily bestowed. We have
not hitherto availed ourselves of his zeal and talent.
The following letter from Hamilton to Laurens is the
only one which has met our inquiries. From the interest
which this cotemporary correspondence gives to the story
of the Revolution, it is to be regretted that so few re-
mains exist of the extensive communications which he kept
up with the officers of the army; the want of which pre-
vents that individuality being given to the early history of
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? 236 THE LIFE OF
our country, from which, now that the general outlines are
known, increased interest can only be derived.
HAMILTON TO LAURENS.
"Cold in my professions -- warm in my friendships -- I
wish, my dear Laurens, it were in my power, by actions,
rather than words, to convince you that I love you. I shall
only tell you, that till you bid us adieu, I hardly knew the
value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed,
my friend, it was not well done. You . know the opinion I
entertain of mankind; and how much it is my desire to pre-
serve myself free from particular attachments, and to keep
my happiness independent of the caprices of others. You
should not have taken advantage of my sensibility, to steal
into my affections without my consent. But as you have
done it, and as we are generally indulgent to those we love,
I shall not scruple to pardon the fraud you have committed,
on one condition; that for my sake, if not for your own,
you will continue to merit the partiality which you have so
artfully instilled into me.
"I have received your two letters; one from Philadel-
phia, the other from Chester. I am pleased with your
success so far; and I hope the favourable omens that pre-
cede your application to the Assembly, may have as fa-
vourable an issue; provided the situation of affairs should
require it, which I fear will be the case. But, both for
your country's sake, and for my own, I wish the enemy
may be gone from Georgia before you arrive; and that
you may be obliged to return, and share the fortunes of
your old friends. In respect to the commission which you
received from Congress, all the world must think your con-
duct perfectly right. Indeed, your ideas upon this occasion
seem not to have their wonted accuracy; and you have had
scruples, in a great measure, without foundation. By your
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? HAMILTON. 237
appointment as aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief,
you had as much the rank of lieutenant-colonel as any offi-
cer in the line. Your receiving a commission as lieutenant-
colonel, from the date of that appointment, does not in the
least injure or interfere with one of them; unless by virtue
of it you are introduced into a particular regiment, in vio-
lation of the right of succession, which is not the case at
present, neither is it a necessary consequence. As you
were going to command a battalion, it was proper you
should have a commission; and if this commission had
been dated posterior to your appointment as aid-de-camp,
I should have considered it derogatory to your former rank,
to mine, and to that of the whole corps. The only thing
I see wrong in the affair is this: congress, by their conduct,
both on the former and present occasion, appear to have
intended to confer a privilege, an honour, a mark of dis-
tinction, a something upon you, which they withheld from
other gentlemen of the family. This carries with it an air
of preference, which, though we can all truly say we love
your character and admire your military merit, cannot fail
to give some of us uneasy sensations. But in this, my dear,
I wish you to understand me well. The blame, if there is
any, falls wholly upon congress. I repeat it, your conduct
has been perfectly right, and even laudable ; -- you reject-
ed the offer when you ought to have rejected it, and you
accepted it when you ought to have accepted it; and let
me add, with a degree of over-scrupulous delicacy. It was
necessary to your project. Your project was the public
good; and I should have done the same. In hesitating,
you have refined on the refinements of generosity.
"There is a total stagnation of news here. Gates has
refused the Indian command. Sullivan is come to take it.
The former has lately given a fresh proof of his impudence,
his folly, and his *********. 'Tis no great matter; but a
peculiarity in the case prevents my saying what.
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? 238 THE LIFE OF
"Fleury shall be taken care of. All the family send love.
In this join the General and Mrs. Washington; and what is
oest, it is not in the style of ceremony, but sincerity. "
The departure of D'Estaing leaving little prospect of ac-
tive operations at the south, Laurens again rejoined the
staff of Washington. On his return, he thus writes to his
friend, from Philadelphia, where congress was in session.
LAURENS TO HAMILTON.
December 18,1779.
MY DEAR HAMILTON,
On my arrival in town, I was informed by the President,
that congress had suspended the business of appointing a
secretary to their minister plenipotentiary at Versailles un-
til my return, in hopes that I might still be prevailed upon
to accept the office. I replied, that I thought my letter upon
the subject sufficiently explicit, and assured him of my sin-
cere desire to be excused from serving in that capacity at
the present juncture of our affairs.
He urged the unanimity of the choice with respect to me
-- the difficulty of uniting the suffrages of all parties, in case
of a new nomination, and the advantages of this union. Se-
veral delegates of congress declared to me the embarrass-
ment of congress since I had declined. One, in particular,
suggested to me his apprehension of interest being made for
a late delegate of New-York, who is candidate for the office,
and to whom the world in general allows greater credit for
his abilities than his integrity; and said, "he was determi-
ned to oppose him with all his influence. " When I quitted
town the sixteenth, these matters crowded into my mind.
I fell into a train of serious reflections and self-examination,
-- endeavoured to investigate whether I had acted conso-
nantly to the xaXov xai ayadov, and fulfilled the duties of a
good citizen in the transaction. In fine, I agitated the grand
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? HAMILTON. 239
question, whether a citizen has a right to decline any office
to which his countrymen appoint him; upon what that
right is founded, and whether it existed in my case.
After undergoing the severest conflict I ever experien-
ced, sometimes reproaching, sometimes justifying myself,
pursuing my journey, or turning retrograde, as the argu-
ments on the one side or the other appeared to prevail, I
determined that I had been deficient in the duties of a good
citizen. I returned to Philadelphia, communicated my sen-
timents to the President and two other members; declared
to them that I thought it incumbent on me, in the first place,
to recommend a person equally qualified in point of inte-
grity, and much better in point of ability. That if, unhap-
pily, they could not agree on Colonel Hamilton, and that I
was absolutely necessary to exclude a dangerous person, or
to prevent pernicious delays, I should think it my duty to
obey the orders of congress. The persons now in nomina-
tion, are, Colonel Hamilton, Mr. Lovell, Mr. G. Morris,
Major Stewart. Great stress is laid upon the ability and
integrity of the person to be employed in this commission.
I have given my testimony of you in this and the other
equally essential points.
My love, as usual. Adieu.
John Laurens.
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? CHAPTER XI.
[1780. ]
( The war of the revolution having become a war of
finance, Hamilton, with a mind awakened to every exigency
of the country, now directed his attention to the embar-
rassments of the treasury, and made his first effort in rela-
tion to its finances. \
In connexion with this subject, a brief allusion to the state
of the public credit, will not be deemed inappropriate. But
for abetter understanding of the national necessities, it may
be proper to advert to the prospects of the country at this
time.
We have seen the previous year pass away without any
occurrences of moment, in a military aspect; and the only
feature in the picture which engages the attention, is the
reversed attitude of the belligerents. The Americans, no
longer flying from a triumphant enemy, but seeking every
opportunity to attack them; -- the British, alarmed for their
safety, tenaciously covering themselves under the protec-
tion of their fortifications, and rejoicing at the fluctuating
counsels of the French, to which they were indebted for
their security.
In the states north of the Potomac, the present year pre-
sents a spectacle of little variety. Amidst discomfiture,
disaster, and local dissensions, it had been ascertained, that
upon them no permanent impression could be made.
Hoping that the alliance with France might be dissolved,
encouraged by the distresses which its embarrassed finan-
ces had extended over the country, and which appeared to
threaten an end of its resources, and stimulated by those
feelings to which a proud and gallant nation would natu-
vol. i. 31
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? 242 THE LITE OF
rally be aroused by the interference of a foreign power, in
their domestic broils, the British ministry still maintained
the contest with obstinacy, and determined to subjugate
the southern states, in the vain hope, that as their sufferings
would be greater, their patriotism might be less than that
of their northern brethren.
The result of these attempts was seen in the capture of
Charleston, after a gallant and protracted defence, and in
the defeat of General Gates at Camden; events which sus-
tained the ministry, and enabled it to obtain a vote of credit
for five-and-twenty millions sterling, to continue the war.
These occurrences, the disappointment which had fol-
lowed the highly excited expectations from the co-operation
of France, and the determination which had been manifest-
ed by the British government, to persevere in the conflict,
induced a state of feeling in congress widely different from
the delusive security which palsied their previous measures,
and had led them to turn not only an inattentive, but an
indignant ear to the urgent remonstrances of the command-
er-in-chief and his circle of friends, who still foresaw a long
series of obstacles to be overcome, before their independ-
ence would be achieved.
The difficulty of raising troops, which had so often ex-
posed the army to disgrace and destruction, had so often
been surmounted by the energy of Washington, that, per-
plexing as it had been, it was but a minor evil compared
with the alarming state of the finances, and the great and
rapid depreciation of the currency, upon the issues of which
congress were compelled principally to rely.
The report of the Board of Treasury, in the autumn of
seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, had shown an emission
of bills in circulation amounting to the enormous sum of one
hundred and sixty millions of dollars, together with a pub-
lic debt of near forty millions, in foreign and domestic loans;
while the whole product of the latter, from the commence-
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? HAMILTON. 243
ment of the war, had but little exceeded thirty millions,
and of the taxes three millions.
With the faint hope of sustaining their credit, congress
passed a vote, on the first of September of the same year,
pledging themselves not to issue, in bills of credit, a sum
exceeding two hundred millions; which they proclaimed to
the country, accompanied with an exposition of the extent
of the national resources, and an assurance that full confi-
dence might be placed in the public faith.
The wants of the treasury had been so pressing, that in-
termediate this declaration, and the end of the following
month of November, the balance of this limited sum was
issued, and congress were left destitute even of this appa-
rently last resource.
In this emergency, the committee of Ways and Means
adopted, as the only remaining expedient, the negotiation of
bills on the American envoys in Europe; which, through
the recent advices of Monsieur De la Luzerne, they had
reason to expect would be provided for by the aid of France.
The sale of these bills was directed to be made at the
rate of twenty-five dollars in continental bills of credit, for
four shillings and sixpence sterling, with the condition, that
the purchasers should lend a sum equal to the cost of the
bills, at an interest of six per cent.
In March, seventeen hundred and eighty, the loan which
had been authorized on the basis of an advance of two
month's interest to the lender, not being filled, a new emis-
sion of bills was ordered, at the rate of forty for one, paya-
ble in six years, bearing an interest of five per cent. , to be
issued on the faith of the individual states, in proportion to
their quotas, and a revision of the laws recommended, which
rendered the continental bills a legal tender. *
* There were, at this time, three kinds of paper afloat: -- one bearing an
interest payable in sterling money, one an interest payable in currency, and
the third without interest. The two first were called Loan Office Certificates,
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