The army memorial was referred to a
committee
of
which he was chairman, and on the twenty-fifth of Janua-
ry a report was made by him.
which he was chairman, and on the twenty-fifth of Janua-
ry a report was made by him.
Hamilton - 1834 - Life on Hamilton - v2
net/2027/uva.
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hathitrust.
org/access_use#pd-google
? 30 THE LIFE OF
wants; the national credit would receive and stand here-
after on a secure basis. "
This was another object of the proposed duty.
The eligibility of this fund was next shown. "The'
principal thing," he said, "to be consulted for the ad-
vancement of commerce, is to promote exports; all im-
pediments to these, either by way of prohibition or by
increasing the prices of native commodities, decreasing by
that means their sale and consumption at foreign markets,
are injurious. Duties on exports have this operation.
Tor the same reasons, taxes on possessions and the articles
of our own growth and manufacture, whether in the form
of a land tax, excise, or any other, are more hurtful to trade
than import duties. But it was not to be inferred that the
whole revenue ought to be drawn from imports; all ex-
tremes are to be rejected. The chief thing to be attended
to is, that the weight of the taxes fall not too heavily in the
first instance upon particular parts of the community: a
judicious distribution to all kinds of taxable property, is a
first principle in taxation. "
The report closed with these impressive reflections, sug-
gested by the language of Rhode Island:--
"There is a happy mean between too much confidence
and excessive jealousy, in which the health and prosperity
of a state consist. Either extreme is a dangerous vice:
the first is a temptation to men in power to arrogate more
than they have a right to; the latter enervates govern-
ment, prevents system in the administration, defeats the
most salutary measures, breeds confusion in the state, dis-
gusts and discontents among the people, and may event-
ually prove as fatal to liberty as the opposite temper.
"It is certainly pernicious to leave any government in a
situation of responsibility disproportionate to its power.
The conduct of the war is intrusted to congress, and the
public expectation turned upon them, without any compe-
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? HAMILTON. 31
M
tent means at their command to satisfy the important
trust. After the most full and solemn deliberation, under
a collective view of all the public difficulties, they recom-
mend a measure which appears to them the corner-stone
of the public safety; they see this measure suspended for
near two years--partially complied with by some of the
states, rejected by one of them, and in danger on that ac-
count to be frustrated; the public embarrassments every
day increasing; the dissatisfaction of the army growing
more serious, the other creditors of the public clamoring
for justice--both, irritated by the delay of measures for
their present relief or future security; the hopes of our
enemies encouraged to protract the war--the zeal of our
friends depressed by an appearance of remissness and want
of exertion on our part--congress harassed, the national
character suffering, and the national safety at the mercy
of events. "
Resolutions were appended to this report giving the
first public pledge of a determination to establish a sink-
ing FUND. *
On the following day, in pursuance of another report
from Hamilton, the deputation from Rhode Island was
directed to proceed as soon as possible.
While these efforts were made, a publication appeared
* Dec. 16th. --Whereas it is essential to justice and to the preservation of
public credit, that whenever a nation is obliged by the exigencies of public
affairs to contract a debt, proper funds should be established, not only for
paying the annual value or interest of the same, but for discharging the
principal within a reasonable period, by which a nation may avoid the evils
of an excessive accumulation of debt. Therefore resolved, That whenever
the nett produce of any funds recommended by congress and granted by the
states, for funding the debt already contracted, or for procuring further loans
for the support of the war, shall exceed the sum requisite for paying the in-
terest of the whole amount of the national debt which these states may owe
at the termination of the present war, the surplus of such grants shall form
a sinking fund, to be inviolably appropriated to the payment of the principal
of the said debt, and shall on no account be diverted to any other purpose. --
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? 32
THE LIFE OF
in a Boston gazette, which gave a false view of the state
of the negotiations for foreign loans, and intimated that
the danger to be apprehended was not embarrassment for
want of funds, but from contracting too large a debt.
This misrepresentation tended to impede all the exertions
to obtain a grant of permanent funds. After some in-
quiry, Howell, a member from Rhode Island, avowed
himself the author of it, and made a motion braving the
opinion of congress, which was entered upon the journal.
Aware of the importance of an official declaration of its
falsity, Hamilton offered a resolution, which was seconded
by Carroll, that congress having, in respect to the articles
of the confederation, admitted on its journals an entry of a
motion of Mr. Howell highly derogatory to the dignity
and honour of the United States, that a committee should
be appointed to report the measures respecting it. They
reported that a true state of the negotiations should be
transmitted to the governor of Rhode Island.
i The preceding address to that state, shows Hamilton's
purpose to endeavour to establish an adequate and compre-
hensive system of finance. This would have provided for
the state emissions, and state debts incurred for the com-
mon defence. An estimate which he had submitted to the
superintendent of finance, showed that the probable re-
ceipts from the impost would be insufficient. It was
necessary to increase the revenue; but before the assent
of the states could be obtained to this increase, discontents
And in order that the several states may have proper information of the state
of their finances, it is further resolved, That as soon as the public debt can
be liquidated, each state be annually furnished with the amount thereof, and
of the interest thereon; and also of the proceeds and disposition of the funds
provided for the redemption thereof. That the faith of the United States
be pledged for the observance of the foregoing resolution, and that if any
state shall think it necessary to make it a condition of their grants, the same
will be considered by congress as consistent with their resolution of the 3d
of February, seventeen hundred and eighty-one.
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? HAMILTON.
which existed as to late requisitions were to be removed.
With these views, he moved the appointment of a com-
mittee to report what further provision should be made
"for discharging the interest on the loan-office certificates
and other liquidated debts, and to revise the requisitions.
of the preceding and present year, and to report whether
the same ought to be continued or altered. "
The principal cause of the frequent collisions between
the states as to the apportionment of the public burdens,
proceeded from the failure to carry into effect the rule of
the confederation as to the ratio of contribution. That
rule contemplated an actual specific valuation of the lands
in each state granted and surveyed, with the buildings
and improvements. Objectionable as the rule was, the
federal articles had prescribed it. Feeling the obligation
of an effort to act upon it, Hamilton, on the sixth of
January, offered a resolution in " order to enable congress
to form an eventual plan towards carrying into execu-
tion" this article of the confederation. His view was, that
this valuation should be made by commissioners appointed
by and acting under the authority of the United States
upon uniform principles. This resolution, together with
those of the sixteenth of December, was referred to a
committee composed of a member from each state.
The following day the house took up another subject
connected with the fulfilment of the public faith. The
large amount of old continental bills held in the New-
England states, they having furnished the principal sup-
plies, created a strong interest in that part of the union
that some provision should be made for their redemption.
A memorial having this object had been presented to
the previous congress, which was referred to a grand
committee of that body. This committee reported that
specie certificates should be issued for these bills when
paid into the hands of the commissioners appointed to.
5
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? 34
THE LIFE OF
settle the accounts of the several states, and of individuals
thereof, to bear an interest of six per cent. from their
date, and to be provided for as other debts, if brought in
prior to the expiration of the year seventeen hundred and
eighty-three. It also proposed that the states which had not
sunk the proportions of the . continental money assigned to
them, be charged with the deficiency at the prescribed rate.
The rate was left in blank, to be filled up by the house.
The recent pledge introduced by Hamilton, of a deter-
mination to provide for the whole debt, probably induced
Massachusetts to call up this report, in the hope that these
bills would be embraced in such provision. Much opposi-
tion existed in the southern states to any redemption of
these emissions.
When this report was offered for consideration, North
Carolina moved its postponement. This motion being
lost, a proposition was offered, that it be recommended to
the several states to redeem their quotas of the old bills
upon principles consonant "with the most substantial
justice. " This proposition also failed; and it being thus
admitted, if redeemed at all, that they were a national
charge, Hamilton moved "that the blank in the report be
filled with the word' forty,'" the rate of depreciation con-
gress had established, but which composition he had cen-
sured as a violation of the public faith. This motion was
rejected. A subsequent effort was made to fix the ratio
at one for seventy-five, which was also rejected, some
votes being against it as an inexpedient departure from
the stipulated rate; others, because hostile to any provi-
sion. * The effort to redeem them was abandoned.
? The following statement is found in the report of the debates on this
subject, Madison Papers, vol. 1, page 226, by James Madison.
"December 7th. --No congress The grand committee met again on the
business of the old paper emissions, and agreed to the plan reported by the
sub-committee in pursuance of Mr. Fitzsimmons's motion, viz. : that the out-
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? HAMILTON.
35
While the preliminary measures of finance were de-
pending, the dangers which had been apprehended from
the discontents of the army occurred, and Hamilton's ser-
standing bills should be taken up, and certificates issued in place thereof at
the rate of one real dollar for nominal ones, and that the surpluses re-
deemed by particular states should be credited to them at the same rate. Mr.
Carroll alone dissented to the plan, alleging that a law of Maryland was ad-
verse to it, which he considered as equipollent to an instruction. For rilling
up the blank, several rates were proposed. First, 1 for 40; on which the
votes were, no; except Mr. Howell. Second, 1 for 75, no; Mr. White and
Mr. Howell, aye. Third, 1 for 100, no; Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Fitzsim-
mnns, aye. Fourth, 1 for 150, no; Mr. Fitzsimmons, aye. The reasons
urged in favour of 1 for 40, were--first, an adherence to public faith; secondly,
that the depreciation of the certificates would reduce the rate sufficiently low,
they being now negotiated at the rate of 3 or 4 for 1. The reason for 1 for
75, was, that the bills passed at that rate when they were called in, in the
'eastern states ; for 1 for 100, that as popular ideas were opposed to the stipu-
lated rate, and as adopting the current rate might hurt the credit of other
securities, which derived their value from an opinion that they would be
strictly redeemed, it was best to take an arbitrary rate, leaning to the side
of liberality; for 1 for 150, that this was the medium depreciation when the
circulation ceased. The opposition to these several rates came from the south-
ern delegates, in some of whose states none, in others but little, had been re-
deemed, and in all of which the depreciation had been much greater. On
this side it was observed by Mr. Madison, that the states which had redeemed
a surplus, or even their quotas, had not done it within the period fixed by
congress, but in the last stages of depreciation, and, in a great degree, even
after the money had ceased to circulate; that since the supposed cessa-
tion, the money had generally changed hands at a value far below any rate
that had been named; that the principle established by the plan of the 18th
of March, 1780, with respect to the money in question, was, that the holder
of it should receive the value at which it was current, and at which it was
presumed he had received it; that a different rule adopted with regard to the
same money in different stages of its downfall, would give general dissatisfac-
tion. The committee adjourned without eoming to any decision. "
On the 18th March, 1780, congress resolved that the bills in circulation
should be redeemed at the rate of 40 for 1 Spanish milled dollar. To allow a
less equivalent, was a breach of the public faith. The object of the foregoing
statement is, to represent Hamilton as voting in favour of this breach of faith;
but the statement is incorrect in all its parts.
The transaction is represented. as having occurred on the 7th of December,
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THE LIFE OF
vices were placed in a conspicuous light by his efforts to
render justice to his fellow-soldiers.
Near the close of the preceding autumn, the main army,
and not on the 7th of January, the actual date of the occurrence as appears
by the journals, vol. 4, page 141. To give colour to this alteration of the date,
it is represented as having taken place in grand committee, and not in the house.
That grand committee was elected by the preceding congress,* and was
composed of Duane, Dyer, Fitzsimmons, Gilman, Hanson, Howell, Jackson,
Lee, McKean, Telfair, Williamson, and Witherspoon. Hamilton was not a
member of it; consequently, he could not have given the vote imputed to
him by Madison, nor any other vote.
The report of this committee came before congress on the 7th January, the
amount in blank; a motion was made to postpone its consideration. Hamil-
ton and Madison both voted against the motion for a postponement, which
was lost. It was then moved that the several states should redeem on prin-
ciples "of the most substantial justice. " Hamilton and Madison both voted
against this motion. Hamilton then moved to nil up the report with 40 for
1--Madison voted against it; a motion was then made of 75 for 1--Hamil-
ton and Madison both against it. No vote is given of 100 or of 150 for 1,
as stated by Madison.
The purport of these several votes was this. In voting not to postpone,
Hamilton evinced his determination to fulfil a public engagement. In voting
not to refer the provision to the states, he voted from the same motive. In
proposing 40 for 1, he voted from the same motive. In voting against 75 for
1, he voted upon the consideration stated by him in his letter to Robert
Morris, previously referred to, vol. 1, page 360:--" I have chosen the reso-
lution of March, '80, as a standard; we ought not on any account to raise
the value of the old paper higher than 40 to 1, for this will give it about the
degree of value that is most salutary, at the same time that it would avoid
a second breach of faith, which would cause a violent death to all future
credit. " He also voted on the 21st December previous, to certify certain
pledges as " debts, at 1 dollar in specie for every 40 dollars of rach pledges,"
in which Madison concurred.
Madison voting in the negative throughout, voted not to redeem the conti.
nental paper at any rate; assigning as one reason," that the principle estab-
lished by the plan of the 18th March, 1780, was, that the holder should receive
the value at which it was current, and at which it was presumed he had re-
ceived it, and that the same principle ought to govern in the different stages
of its downfall. This was not the fact; 40 for 1, was the stipulated rate,
below which no depreciation was to take place.
? 4 J. C. 141.
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? HAMILTON.
37
which had previously been moved to Verplank's Point,
took up their winter-quarters among the woody hills in
the vicinity of Newburgh, a position in every relation the
most eligible that could have been selected. Their wants,
and the near approach of peace, increased their anxiety
for an adjustment of their accounts, and led the officers to
look with extreme solicitude to the establishment of sub-
stantial funds, adequate to the discharge of their half-pay
as it should become due.
Alarmed by information that there was a large party
hostile to their claims, combinations among them to resign
in a body, at stated periods, began to be formed. But
they were diverted from this purpose, and induced to pe-
tition congress.
In their petition they stated that shadows had been
offered to them, while the substance had been gleaned by
others; that they had borne all that they could bear; that
their property was expended, their private resources at
an end, and their friends wearied out and disgusted with
their incessant applications; that the soldiers had not re-
ceived more than one-fifth of their rations; that the ar-
rearages for their clothing in seventeen hundred and
seventy-seven, were paid in continental money, when the
dollar was worth only four pence, and that the accounts
for the subsequent years were unliquidated. After this
Not only is a reason that did not exist assigned for his own vote, but one
inconsistent with integrity is imputed to Hamilton for a vote he did not give.
Madison gave the vote Hamilton refused to give. The reason stated by
Madison to have been " urged in favour of" 40 for 1, the rate Hamilton
proposed, was, " an adherence to public faith. " The reason imputed to
Hamilton by Madijon for voting for 100 for 1, which Hamilton did not vote
for, was, that as popular ideas were opposed to the stipulated rate, and as
adopting the current rate might hurt the credit of other securities, which de-
rived their value from an opinion that they would be ttrietly redeemed, it
was best to take an arbitrary rate leaning to the side of popularity. " What
must be thought of such statements?
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THE LIFE OF
recapitulation of their wrongs, having asked for a supply
of money as soon as possible, they urged an immediate
adjustment of their dues; that a part should be paid, and
the remainder put on such a footing as would restore
cheerfulness to the army, revive confidence in the justice
and generosity of its constituents, and contribute to the
very desirable effect of re-establishing public credit. Ad-
verting, in fine, to the odious light in which the persons
entitled to half-pay were viewed, they proposed, in order
to prevent altercations and distinctions, to commute the
half-pay for full pay for a certain number of years, or for
a sum in gross.
To attain these objects, they appointed General McDou-
gal, Colonels Brooks and Ogden, a committee of corre-
spondence to repair to Philadelphia. The state of opinion
in congress was not such as to inspire confidence. The
jealous spirit which withheld from the confederation the
only means of restoring the public credit, and which, on
the return of peace, was not unwilling to abandon or to
dissolve the union, had been strongly evinced as to the
claims of the army.
Aware of the difficulties to be encountered, it has been
seen that Hamilton had been foremost to induce the refu-
sal of all partial favours to any particular body of officers,
had urged the necessity of avoiding discriminations be-
tween different classes of creditors, and had succeeded in
postponing various applications for relief, the grant of
which must have engendered discontent.
The army memorial was referred to a committee of
which he was chairman, and on the twenty-fifth of Janua-
ry a report was made by him.
It comprehended five articles:--Present pay--a settle-
ment of accounts of the arrearages of pay, and security
for what was due--a commutation of the half-pay for an
equivalent in gross--a settlement of the accounts of defi-
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? HAMILTON.
39
ciencies of rations and compensation, and a similar settle-
ment as to clothing and compensation.
As to the pay, this report directed the superintendent
of finance to make the payment requested, as soon as the
state of the finances would permit; as to the accounts,
that the states be called upon to complete the settlements
with their respective levies to the first of August, seven-
teen hundred and eighty,* and that settlement from that
period be made at the office of finance. As to security,
it declared that the troops of the United States, in com-
mon with all their creditors, have an undoubted right to
expect such security, and that congress will make every
effort in their power to obtain from the respective
states substantial funds, adequate to the object of
funding the whole debt of the United States, and will
enter upon an immediate and full consideration of the
nature of such funds, and the most likely mode of ob-
taining them.
The remaining articles were referred to a sub-committee
of which Hamilton was a member; and after the interval
* By resolution of 12th August, 1780, the states were recommended to
make compensation for the depreciation of their pay; and from the first of
that month it was declared that the army should receive it in the new emis-
sions. It was therefore an express stipulation. Yet Madison states, "a
compromise was proposed by Hamilton, by substituting the last day of De-
cember, 1780," for the first of August, in compliance with an objection of
the eastern states.
The same principle was involved with that in the pledge of $40 for 1,
of the old emission, as to which the charge has been disproved. It is seen
that Hamilton's report was in conformity with this stipulation. How the
change to December occurred, does not appear; but the journals show that
Hamilton voted to reinstate August. * As this statement rests solely upon
the evidence of Madison, and is neither in accordance with the report nor
with this vote, its probability is more than questionable. --1 Mad. 278-9,
280.
? 4 J. C. 152
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THE LIFE OF
of a day, that part of this report which promised substan-
tial and adequate funds, was considered.
The earliest known opinions of Hamilton indicate his
conviction that the command of the revenue should be
vested in congress, and that it should have the collection
of it. He had stated in "the Continentalist,"* as "the
great defect of the confederation, that it gives the United
States no property, or in other words, no revenue, nor the
means of acquiring it inherent in themselves, and inde-
pendent on the temporary pleasure of the different mem-
bers. "--" As power without revenue, in a political society,
was a name; while congress," he then said, "continue
altogether dependent on the occasional grants of the seve-
ral states, for the means of defraying the expenses of the
federal government, it can neither have dignity, vigour,
nor credit. Credit supposes specific and permanent funds
for the punctual payment of interest, with a moral cer-
tainty of the final redemption of the principal. This
credit being to be procured through congress, the funds
ought to be provided, declared, and vested in them. Had
we begun the practice of funding four years ago, we
should have avoided that depreciation of the currency,
which has been as pernicious to the morals as to the cre-
dit of the nation. " It has been seen that he at the same
time expressed the opinion, that congress should have the
appointment " of all officers of the customs, collectors of
taxes, and military officers of every rank, so as to create
in the interior of each state a mass of influence in favour
of the federal government. "
The period had now arrived when he was enabled, per-
sonally, to propose the adoption of a measure which he
had long contemplated--the establishment of a permanent
national revenue. Unfortunately, on the dayt when the
? August 4, 1781--No. 4.
t Jan. 27.
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? HAMILTON.
41
discussion of this subject commenced, the delegates from
Virginia laid before congress an act of their legislature,
repealing her grant of the power to raise an impost; a
repeal not dictated by temporary considerations, but mani-
festing a decided repugnance to the supremacy of the
national legislature over any part of the revenue.
It declared, "that the permitting any power other than
the general assembly of this commonwealth, to levy duties
or taxes upon the citizens of this state, within the same,
is injurious to its sovereignty, may prove destructive of the
rights and liberty of this people, and so far as congress
might exercise the same, is contravening the spirit of the
confederation. " Unpropitious as this procedure was, no
other resource existed, and the debate proceeded in a com-
mittee on " permanent funds. "
The first question to be decided was, whether if funds
were provided they were to be collected by the states, or,
as Hamilton had previo usly urged, should depend on " a
single will. " With a view to its decision, he offered the
following declaratory resolution:--" That it is the opinion
of congress that complete justice cannot be done to the
creditors of the United States, nor the restoration of pub-
lic credit be effected, nor the future exigencies of the war
be provided for, but by the establishment of permanent
and adequate funds, to operate generally throughout the
United States, to be collected by congress. "
The petition of the officers of the army had been heard
and answered; the memorial of the other public creditors
had not been replied to.
After the late act of Virginia repealing the impost, it
was particularly important that they should receive a
similar pledge of ultimate justice. Prompted by this con-
sideration, immediately after the introduction of this im-
portant resolution, Hamilton presented a report on the
memorial of Pennsylvania respecting the debts due to her
6
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? 42
THE LIFE OF
citizens. This report stated," that any attempts to pay any
of the past debts, would form so heavy a deduction from
the greatest revenue that could be raised as would totally
obstruct all present service, and that any present provision
should be confined to the interest of the public debts.
That such provision would offer eventual relief to the pub-
lic creditors, and enable them to support their share of the
public burdens without appropriating the whole revenue
which can be drawn from the people to a payment of debts,
and leaving thereby the public service unprovided for,
which would involve the ruin of all ranks, creditors and
others. That congress were and had long been deeply
impressed with the absolute necessity that speedy and
effectual measures should be taken, first to liquidate and
ascertain the public debts, and then to secure the payment
of the interest until the principal could be discharged.
Acts of congress were referred to as evidence of this
assertion. He added, that after a delay of two years,
Rhode Island had entirely refused its concurrence to the
impost, that Virginia had withdrawn its assent once given,
and that a third state had returned no answer.
The inability of congress to perform its engagements,
was stated to have resulted from the defective compliances
of the states during the war. Of the last requisition for
eight millions, only four hundred and twenty thousand dol-
lars had been collected. The proceeds of the foreign
loans* were stated, showing an available balance a little
* In vol. 1, page 273, of Madison's Debates, this passage is found:--
"In a late report, which had been drawn up by Mr. Hamilton, and made
to congress, in answer to a memorial from the legislature of Pennsylvania,
among other things showing the impossibility congress had been under of
paying their creditors, it was observed, that the aid afforded by the court of
France, had been appropriated by that court, at the time, to the immediate
use of the army. This clause was objected to as unnecessary, and as dis.
honourable to congress. The fact also was controverted. Mr. Hamilton
#
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? HAMILTON.
43
exceeding eight hundred thousand dollars; while to feed,
clothe, and pay the army, required nearly six millions.
The whole sum within the command of congress, was
and Mr. Fitzsimmons justified the expediency of retaining it, in order to
justify congress the more explicitly in failing to fulfil their engagements to
the public creditors. Mr. Wilson and Madison proposed to strike out the
words ' appropriated by France,' and substitute the words ' applied by con-
gress to the immediate and necessary support of the army. ' This proposi-
tion would have been readily approved, had it not appeared on examination,
that in one or two small instances, and particularly in the payment of the
balance due to Arthur Lee, Esq. , other applications had been made of the aid
in question. The report was finally recommitted. "
This is no less than a charge of stating an untruth, and justifying it on
the score of expediency, on the part of two gentlemen whose probity never
was suspected, and for the motive of justifying congress with the public
creditors. This minute is of the 24th of January. It speaks of a late report
made to congress. The journal of that date does not refer to this report, but
on the thirtieth of January it is given in full, as having been " agreed to as
follows. " A reason assigned by Madison why the clause thus objected to
was not stricken out, is, that there had been a diversion of the money in one
or two small instances. He adds, that it was recommitted. But if these
instances prevented this clause being expunged, if it had been originally in
the report, it must necessarily have been retained. On referring to this re-
port, " agreed to" by congress, no such clause can be found. Its language
is--" But according to the best accounts which can be obtained, the antici-
pations made in the funds for the year 1782 amounted, at the close of 1781,
to four millions of livres. For the service of that year, his most christian
majesty lent the United States 6,000,000 livres. "--4 J. C. 155.
But if it be assumed that the clause was there originally, and was
stricken out, the charge is unsupported. The journals, page 202, contain
the papers which Madison as chairman of a committee reported, and refer-
red to in an address of which he was the author. One of these papers, No.
IV. , is a letter from the French ambassador at Philadelphia, dated March
15, 1783. It commences thus--" Sir: I have the satisfaction to inform you,
that his majesty procures for the United States a loan of six millions, to be
employed in the war department during the course of the current year. "
"The Count de Vergennes informs me, sir, that the six millions are lent to
the United States in the same manner, and under the same conditions, with
the sum which was lent last year. " "I have had the honour to inform you,
air, that this money is lent to the United States to enable them to carry on
the war. The wisdom of congress will determine according to circum-
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THE LIFE OF
little more than a million and a half of dollars; a sum insuf-
ficient to pay the interest then due on the public debts.
"Yet," Hamilton remarked, " notwithstanding the discour-
aging obstacles they have hitherto encountered, they
conceive it a duty to themselves and to their constituents,
to persevere in their intentions to renew and extend their
endeavours to procure the establishment of revenues equal
to the purpose of funding all the debts of the United States;
and they think it proper to inform the assembly of Penn-
sylvania, that this subject is now before them under so-
lemn deliberation, and that her ready and early compliance
with the recommendation of (an impost) assures congress
of the vigorous support of that state. "
Soon after this pledge was given, a report as to the
mode of valuing the lands was taken into consideration.
This report proposed that the states should pass laws
forming themselves into districts, and should appoint com-
missioners to estimate the value of their lands; which
estimate, if approved by congress, was to determine the
requisitions to be made.
Convinced that no efficient plan would be adopted from
the predominance of state jealousies, and regarding the
contemplated mode as involving inequalities and contro-
versy, Hamilton moved to postpone the valuation. He
assigned as reasons, " the great expense of it, to which the
finances were then inadequate, and that in a matter so
stances on the manner of effecting that important object, and of compelling
the enemy, by joint efforts, to conclude a solid and permanent peace. "
That such was the sole object of this loan made by France, then under
great pecuniary pressure, is obvious. Already a creditor for a large amount,
it cannot be supposed that France would have made an additional loan to
the United States to pay their domestic creditors. A declaration such as
that which Madison represents Wilson as concurring with him in endeavour-
ing to substitute, would have been to declare that congress had violated their
pledge to France in applying this loan to the immediate use of the army--
the express use for which the loan was granted.
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? HAMILTON.
45
fundamental in the confederation, it was essential to the
harmony and welfare of the United States, that it should
be carried into effect with great care, circumspection, and
impartiality, and that a short delay would be much less
pernicious than a defective execution. "
After thus urging that the attempt should be deferred,
he pledged congress to proceed to an accurate valuation
of the land by commissioners, appointed by them, and act-
ing under their authority, upon principles uniform through-
out the United States; that when this valuation is com-
plete, congress will finally adjust the accounts of the
United States with the states separately, agreeably to that
standard, making equitable abatements to such as have
been more immediate sufferers by the war: that in the
mean time they would adhere, in the temporary adjust-
ment of these accounts, to the proportions established by
the requisitions of congress; and with a view to an eventual
plan, he requested the states to transmit to them the valua-
tions they had made, with an explanation of the principles
on which they had been made.
This motion, though supported by a majority of mem-
bers, was lost in a vote by states, and the plan reported
was rejected.
The course of their proceedings gave small prospect
of any salutary results. The officers were urgently press-
ing their claims. The justice of those claims was not to
be questioned. The terms of commutation offered by the
army, could not be excepted to. The claimants were
suffering. They had received nothing but assurances, and
they had reason to believe that, on the part of many, those
assurances were deceptive. There was danger. Hamilton
felt it, and after due reflection, he unbosomed his appre-
hensions to the commander-in-chief.
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HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.
Philadelphia, Feb. 7,1783.
SIR,
Flattering myself that your knowledge of me will in-
duce you to receive the observations I make as dictated
by a regard to the public good, I take the liberty to sug-
gest to you my ideas on some matters of delicacy and im-
portance. I view the present juncture as a very interest-
ing one. I need not observe how far the temper and
situation of the army make it so. The state of our finan-
ces was perhaps never more critical. I am under injunc-
tions which will not permit me to disclose some facts that
would at once demonstrate this position, but I think it
probable you will be possessed of them through another
channel. * It is however certain that there has scarcely
been a period of the revolution which called more for
wisdom and decision in congress. Unfortunately for us,
we are a body not governed by reason or foresight, but
by circumstances. It is probable we shall not take the
proper measures; and if we do not, a few months may
open an embarrassing scene. This will be the case, whether
we have peace or a continuance of the war.
If the war continues, it would seem that the army must
in June subsist itself to defend the country; if peace should
take place, it will subsist itself to procure justice to itself.
It appears to be a prevailing opinion in the army, that the
disposition to recompense their services will cease with
the necessity for them, and that if they once lay down
their arms, they part with the means of obtaining justice.
It is to be lamented that appearances afford too much
ground for their distrust.
* Probably from the superintendent of finance.
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? HAMILTON. 47
It becomes a serious inquiry, What is the true line of
policy? The claims of the army, urged with moderation,
but with firmness, may operate on those weak minds
which are influenced by their apprehensions more than
by their judgments, so as to produce a concurrence in the
measures which the exigencies of affairs demand. They
may add weight to the applications of congress to the
several states. So far a useful turn may be given to
them. But the difficulty will be to keep a complaining
and suffering army within the bounds of moderation.
This your excellency's influence must effect. In order
to it, it will be advisable not to discountenance their en-
deavours to procure redress, but rather, by the intervention
of confidential and prudent persons, to take the direction
of them.
? 30 THE LIFE OF
wants; the national credit would receive and stand here-
after on a secure basis. "
This was another object of the proposed duty.
The eligibility of this fund was next shown. "The'
principal thing," he said, "to be consulted for the ad-
vancement of commerce, is to promote exports; all im-
pediments to these, either by way of prohibition or by
increasing the prices of native commodities, decreasing by
that means their sale and consumption at foreign markets,
are injurious. Duties on exports have this operation.
Tor the same reasons, taxes on possessions and the articles
of our own growth and manufacture, whether in the form
of a land tax, excise, or any other, are more hurtful to trade
than import duties. But it was not to be inferred that the
whole revenue ought to be drawn from imports; all ex-
tremes are to be rejected. The chief thing to be attended
to is, that the weight of the taxes fall not too heavily in the
first instance upon particular parts of the community: a
judicious distribution to all kinds of taxable property, is a
first principle in taxation. "
The report closed with these impressive reflections, sug-
gested by the language of Rhode Island:--
"There is a happy mean between too much confidence
and excessive jealousy, in which the health and prosperity
of a state consist. Either extreme is a dangerous vice:
the first is a temptation to men in power to arrogate more
than they have a right to; the latter enervates govern-
ment, prevents system in the administration, defeats the
most salutary measures, breeds confusion in the state, dis-
gusts and discontents among the people, and may event-
ually prove as fatal to liberty as the opposite temper.
"It is certainly pernicious to leave any government in a
situation of responsibility disproportionate to its power.
The conduct of the war is intrusted to congress, and the
public expectation turned upon them, without any compe-
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? HAMILTON. 31
M
tent means at their command to satisfy the important
trust. After the most full and solemn deliberation, under
a collective view of all the public difficulties, they recom-
mend a measure which appears to them the corner-stone
of the public safety; they see this measure suspended for
near two years--partially complied with by some of the
states, rejected by one of them, and in danger on that ac-
count to be frustrated; the public embarrassments every
day increasing; the dissatisfaction of the army growing
more serious, the other creditors of the public clamoring
for justice--both, irritated by the delay of measures for
their present relief or future security; the hopes of our
enemies encouraged to protract the war--the zeal of our
friends depressed by an appearance of remissness and want
of exertion on our part--congress harassed, the national
character suffering, and the national safety at the mercy
of events. "
Resolutions were appended to this report giving the
first public pledge of a determination to establish a sink-
ing FUND. *
On the following day, in pursuance of another report
from Hamilton, the deputation from Rhode Island was
directed to proceed as soon as possible.
While these efforts were made, a publication appeared
* Dec. 16th. --Whereas it is essential to justice and to the preservation of
public credit, that whenever a nation is obliged by the exigencies of public
affairs to contract a debt, proper funds should be established, not only for
paying the annual value or interest of the same, but for discharging the
principal within a reasonable period, by which a nation may avoid the evils
of an excessive accumulation of debt. Therefore resolved, That whenever
the nett produce of any funds recommended by congress and granted by the
states, for funding the debt already contracted, or for procuring further loans
for the support of the war, shall exceed the sum requisite for paying the in-
terest of the whole amount of the national debt which these states may owe
at the termination of the present war, the surplus of such grants shall form
a sinking fund, to be inviolably appropriated to the payment of the principal
of the said debt, and shall on no account be diverted to any other purpose. --
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THE LIFE OF
in a Boston gazette, which gave a false view of the state
of the negotiations for foreign loans, and intimated that
the danger to be apprehended was not embarrassment for
want of funds, but from contracting too large a debt.
This misrepresentation tended to impede all the exertions
to obtain a grant of permanent funds. After some in-
quiry, Howell, a member from Rhode Island, avowed
himself the author of it, and made a motion braving the
opinion of congress, which was entered upon the journal.
Aware of the importance of an official declaration of its
falsity, Hamilton offered a resolution, which was seconded
by Carroll, that congress having, in respect to the articles
of the confederation, admitted on its journals an entry of a
motion of Mr. Howell highly derogatory to the dignity
and honour of the United States, that a committee should
be appointed to report the measures respecting it. They
reported that a true state of the negotiations should be
transmitted to the governor of Rhode Island.
i The preceding address to that state, shows Hamilton's
purpose to endeavour to establish an adequate and compre-
hensive system of finance. This would have provided for
the state emissions, and state debts incurred for the com-
mon defence. An estimate which he had submitted to the
superintendent of finance, showed that the probable re-
ceipts from the impost would be insufficient. It was
necessary to increase the revenue; but before the assent
of the states could be obtained to this increase, discontents
And in order that the several states may have proper information of the state
of their finances, it is further resolved, That as soon as the public debt can
be liquidated, each state be annually furnished with the amount thereof, and
of the interest thereon; and also of the proceeds and disposition of the funds
provided for the redemption thereof. That the faith of the United States
be pledged for the observance of the foregoing resolution, and that if any
state shall think it necessary to make it a condition of their grants, the same
will be considered by congress as consistent with their resolution of the 3d
of February, seventeen hundred and eighty-one.
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? HAMILTON.
which existed as to late requisitions were to be removed.
With these views, he moved the appointment of a com-
mittee to report what further provision should be made
"for discharging the interest on the loan-office certificates
and other liquidated debts, and to revise the requisitions.
of the preceding and present year, and to report whether
the same ought to be continued or altered. "
The principal cause of the frequent collisions between
the states as to the apportionment of the public burdens,
proceeded from the failure to carry into effect the rule of
the confederation as to the ratio of contribution. That
rule contemplated an actual specific valuation of the lands
in each state granted and surveyed, with the buildings
and improvements. Objectionable as the rule was, the
federal articles had prescribed it. Feeling the obligation
of an effort to act upon it, Hamilton, on the sixth of
January, offered a resolution in " order to enable congress
to form an eventual plan towards carrying into execu-
tion" this article of the confederation. His view was, that
this valuation should be made by commissioners appointed
by and acting under the authority of the United States
upon uniform principles. This resolution, together with
those of the sixteenth of December, was referred to a
committee composed of a member from each state.
The following day the house took up another subject
connected with the fulfilment of the public faith. The
large amount of old continental bills held in the New-
England states, they having furnished the principal sup-
plies, created a strong interest in that part of the union
that some provision should be made for their redemption.
A memorial having this object had been presented to
the previous congress, which was referred to a grand
committee of that body. This committee reported that
specie certificates should be issued for these bills when
paid into the hands of the commissioners appointed to.
5
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THE LIFE OF
settle the accounts of the several states, and of individuals
thereof, to bear an interest of six per cent. from their
date, and to be provided for as other debts, if brought in
prior to the expiration of the year seventeen hundred and
eighty-three. It also proposed that the states which had not
sunk the proportions of the . continental money assigned to
them, be charged with the deficiency at the prescribed rate.
The rate was left in blank, to be filled up by the house.
The recent pledge introduced by Hamilton, of a deter-
mination to provide for the whole debt, probably induced
Massachusetts to call up this report, in the hope that these
bills would be embraced in such provision. Much opposi-
tion existed in the southern states to any redemption of
these emissions.
When this report was offered for consideration, North
Carolina moved its postponement. This motion being
lost, a proposition was offered, that it be recommended to
the several states to redeem their quotas of the old bills
upon principles consonant "with the most substantial
justice. " This proposition also failed; and it being thus
admitted, if redeemed at all, that they were a national
charge, Hamilton moved "that the blank in the report be
filled with the word' forty,'" the rate of depreciation con-
gress had established, but which composition he had cen-
sured as a violation of the public faith. This motion was
rejected. A subsequent effort was made to fix the ratio
at one for seventy-five, which was also rejected, some
votes being against it as an inexpedient departure from
the stipulated rate; others, because hostile to any provi-
sion. * The effort to redeem them was abandoned.
? The following statement is found in the report of the debates on this
subject, Madison Papers, vol. 1, page 226, by James Madison.
"December 7th. --No congress The grand committee met again on the
business of the old paper emissions, and agreed to the plan reported by the
sub-committee in pursuance of Mr. Fitzsimmons's motion, viz. : that the out-
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? HAMILTON.
35
While the preliminary measures of finance were de-
pending, the dangers which had been apprehended from
the discontents of the army occurred, and Hamilton's ser-
standing bills should be taken up, and certificates issued in place thereof at
the rate of one real dollar for nominal ones, and that the surpluses re-
deemed by particular states should be credited to them at the same rate. Mr.
Carroll alone dissented to the plan, alleging that a law of Maryland was ad-
verse to it, which he considered as equipollent to an instruction. For rilling
up the blank, several rates were proposed. First, 1 for 40; on which the
votes were, no; except Mr. Howell. Second, 1 for 75, no; Mr. White and
Mr. Howell, aye. Third, 1 for 100, no; Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Fitzsim-
mnns, aye. Fourth, 1 for 150, no; Mr. Fitzsimmons, aye. The reasons
urged in favour of 1 for 40, were--first, an adherence to public faith; secondly,
that the depreciation of the certificates would reduce the rate sufficiently low,
they being now negotiated at the rate of 3 or 4 for 1. The reason for 1 for
75, was, that the bills passed at that rate when they were called in, in the
'eastern states ; for 1 for 100, that as popular ideas were opposed to the stipu-
lated rate, and as adopting the current rate might hurt the credit of other
securities, which derived their value from an opinion that they would be
strictly redeemed, it was best to take an arbitrary rate, leaning to the side
of liberality; for 1 for 150, that this was the medium depreciation when the
circulation ceased. The opposition to these several rates came from the south-
ern delegates, in some of whose states none, in others but little, had been re-
deemed, and in all of which the depreciation had been much greater. On
this side it was observed by Mr. Madison, that the states which had redeemed
a surplus, or even their quotas, had not done it within the period fixed by
congress, but in the last stages of depreciation, and, in a great degree, even
after the money had ceased to circulate; that since the supposed cessa-
tion, the money had generally changed hands at a value far below any rate
that had been named; that the principle established by the plan of the 18th
of March, 1780, with respect to the money in question, was, that the holder
of it should receive the value at which it was current, and at which it was
presumed he had received it; that a different rule adopted with regard to the
same money in different stages of its downfall, would give general dissatisfac-
tion. The committee adjourned without eoming to any decision. "
On the 18th March, 1780, congress resolved that the bills in circulation
should be redeemed at the rate of 40 for 1 Spanish milled dollar. To allow a
less equivalent, was a breach of the public faith. The object of the foregoing
statement is, to represent Hamilton as voting in favour of this breach of faith;
but the statement is incorrect in all its parts.
The transaction is represented. as having occurred on the 7th of December,
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vices were placed in a conspicuous light by his efforts to
render justice to his fellow-soldiers.
Near the close of the preceding autumn, the main army,
and not on the 7th of January, the actual date of the occurrence as appears
by the journals, vol. 4, page 141. To give colour to this alteration of the date,
it is represented as having taken place in grand committee, and not in the house.
That grand committee was elected by the preceding congress,* and was
composed of Duane, Dyer, Fitzsimmons, Gilman, Hanson, Howell, Jackson,
Lee, McKean, Telfair, Williamson, and Witherspoon. Hamilton was not a
member of it; consequently, he could not have given the vote imputed to
him by Madison, nor any other vote.
The report of this committee came before congress on the 7th January, the
amount in blank; a motion was made to postpone its consideration. Hamil-
ton and Madison both voted against the motion for a postponement, which
was lost. It was then moved that the several states should redeem on prin-
ciples "of the most substantial justice. " Hamilton and Madison both voted
against this motion. Hamilton then moved to nil up the report with 40 for
1--Madison voted against it; a motion was then made of 75 for 1--Hamil-
ton and Madison both against it. No vote is given of 100 or of 150 for 1,
as stated by Madison.
The purport of these several votes was this. In voting not to postpone,
Hamilton evinced his determination to fulfil a public engagement. In voting
not to refer the provision to the states, he voted from the same motive. In
proposing 40 for 1, he voted from the same motive. In voting against 75 for
1, he voted upon the consideration stated by him in his letter to Robert
Morris, previously referred to, vol. 1, page 360:--" I have chosen the reso-
lution of March, '80, as a standard; we ought not on any account to raise
the value of the old paper higher than 40 to 1, for this will give it about the
degree of value that is most salutary, at the same time that it would avoid
a second breach of faith, which would cause a violent death to all future
credit. " He also voted on the 21st December previous, to certify certain
pledges as " debts, at 1 dollar in specie for every 40 dollars of rach pledges,"
in which Madison concurred.
Madison voting in the negative throughout, voted not to redeem the conti.
nental paper at any rate; assigning as one reason," that the principle estab-
lished by the plan of the 18th March, 1780, was, that the holder should receive
the value at which it was current, and at which it was presumed he had re-
ceived it, and that the same principle ought to govern in the different stages
of its downfall. This was not the fact; 40 for 1, was the stipulated rate,
below which no depreciation was to take place.
? 4 J. C. 141.
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? HAMILTON.
37
which had previously been moved to Verplank's Point,
took up their winter-quarters among the woody hills in
the vicinity of Newburgh, a position in every relation the
most eligible that could have been selected. Their wants,
and the near approach of peace, increased their anxiety
for an adjustment of their accounts, and led the officers to
look with extreme solicitude to the establishment of sub-
stantial funds, adequate to the discharge of their half-pay
as it should become due.
Alarmed by information that there was a large party
hostile to their claims, combinations among them to resign
in a body, at stated periods, began to be formed. But
they were diverted from this purpose, and induced to pe-
tition congress.
In their petition they stated that shadows had been
offered to them, while the substance had been gleaned by
others; that they had borne all that they could bear; that
their property was expended, their private resources at
an end, and their friends wearied out and disgusted with
their incessant applications; that the soldiers had not re-
ceived more than one-fifth of their rations; that the ar-
rearages for their clothing in seventeen hundred and
seventy-seven, were paid in continental money, when the
dollar was worth only four pence, and that the accounts
for the subsequent years were unliquidated. After this
Not only is a reason that did not exist assigned for his own vote, but one
inconsistent with integrity is imputed to Hamilton for a vote he did not give.
Madison gave the vote Hamilton refused to give. The reason stated by
Madison to have been " urged in favour of" 40 for 1, the rate Hamilton
proposed, was, " an adherence to public faith. " The reason imputed to
Hamilton by Madijon for voting for 100 for 1, which Hamilton did not vote
for, was, that as popular ideas were opposed to the stipulated rate, and as
adopting the current rate might hurt the credit of other securities, which de-
rived their value from an opinion that they would be ttrietly redeemed, it
was best to take an arbitrary rate leaning to the side of popularity. " What
must be thought of such statements?
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recapitulation of their wrongs, having asked for a supply
of money as soon as possible, they urged an immediate
adjustment of their dues; that a part should be paid, and
the remainder put on such a footing as would restore
cheerfulness to the army, revive confidence in the justice
and generosity of its constituents, and contribute to the
very desirable effect of re-establishing public credit. Ad-
verting, in fine, to the odious light in which the persons
entitled to half-pay were viewed, they proposed, in order
to prevent altercations and distinctions, to commute the
half-pay for full pay for a certain number of years, or for
a sum in gross.
To attain these objects, they appointed General McDou-
gal, Colonels Brooks and Ogden, a committee of corre-
spondence to repair to Philadelphia. The state of opinion
in congress was not such as to inspire confidence. The
jealous spirit which withheld from the confederation the
only means of restoring the public credit, and which, on
the return of peace, was not unwilling to abandon or to
dissolve the union, had been strongly evinced as to the
claims of the army.
Aware of the difficulties to be encountered, it has been
seen that Hamilton had been foremost to induce the refu-
sal of all partial favours to any particular body of officers,
had urged the necessity of avoiding discriminations be-
tween different classes of creditors, and had succeeded in
postponing various applications for relief, the grant of
which must have engendered discontent.
The army memorial was referred to a committee of
which he was chairman, and on the twenty-fifth of Janua-
ry a report was made by him.
It comprehended five articles:--Present pay--a settle-
ment of accounts of the arrearages of pay, and security
for what was due--a commutation of the half-pay for an
equivalent in gross--a settlement of the accounts of defi-
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? HAMILTON.
39
ciencies of rations and compensation, and a similar settle-
ment as to clothing and compensation.
As to the pay, this report directed the superintendent
of finance to make the payment requested, as soon as the
state of the finances would permit; as to the accounts,
that the states be called upon to complete the settlements
with their respective levies to the first of August, seven-
teen hundred and eighty,* and that settlement from that
period be made at the office of finance. As to security,
it declared that the troops of the United States, in com-
mon with all their creditors, have an undoubted right to
expect such security, and that congress will make every
effort in their power to obtain from the respective
states substantial funds, adequate to the object of
funding the whole debt of the United States, and will
enter upon an immediate and full consideration of the
nature of such funds, and the most likely mode of ob-
taining them.
The remaining articles were referred to a sub-committee
of which Hamilton was a member; and after the interval
* By resolution of 12th August, 1780, the states were recommended to
make compensation for the depreciation of their pay; and from the first of
that month it was declared that the army should receive it in the new emis-
sions. It was therefore an express stipulation. Yet Madison states, "a
compromise was proposed by Hamilton, by substituting the last day of De-
cember, 1780," for the first of August, in compliance with an objection of
the eastern states.
The same principle was involved with that in the pledge of $40 for 1,
of the old emission, as to which the charge has been disproved. It is seen
that Hamilton's report was in conformity with this stipulation. How the
change to December occurred, does not appear; but the journals show that
Hamilton voted to reinstate August. * As this statement rests solely upon
the evidence of Madison, and is neither in accordance with the report nor
with this vote, its probability is more than questionable. --1 Mad. 278-9,
280.
? 4 J. C. 152
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THE LIFE OF
of a day, that part of this report which promised substan-
tial and adequate funds, was considered.
The earliest known opinions of Hamilton indicate his
conviction that the command of the revenue should be
vested in congress, and that it should have the collection
of it. He had stated in "the Continentalist,"* as "the
great defect of the confederation, that it gives the United
States no property, or in other words, no revenue, nor the
means of acquiring it inherent in themselves, and inde-
pendent on the temporary pleasure of the different mem-
bers. "--" As power without revenue, in a political society,
was a name; while congress," he then said, "continue
altogether dependent on the occasional grants of the seve-
ral states, for the means of defraying the expenses of the
federal government, it can neither have dignity, vigour,
nor credit. Credit supposes specific and permanent funds
for the punctual payment of interest, with a moral cer-
tainty of the final redemption of the principal. This
credit being to be procured through congress, the funds
ought to be provided, declared, and vested in them. Had
we begun the practice of funding four years ago, we
should have avoided that depreciation of the currency,
which has been as pernicious to the morals as to the cre-
dit of the nation. " It has been seen that he at the same
time expressed the opinion, that congress should have the
appointment " of all officers of the customs, collectors of
taxes, and military officers of every rank, so as to create
in the interior of each state a mass of influence in favour
of the federal government. "
The period had now arrived when he was enabled, per-
sonally, to propose the adoption of a measure which he
had long contemplated--the establishment of a permanent
national revenue. Unfortunately, on the dayt when the
? August 4, 1781--No. 4.
t Jan. 27.
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? HAMILTON.
41
discussion of this subject commenced, the delegates from
Virginia laid before congress an act of their legislature,
repealing her grant of the power to raise an impost; a
repeal not dictated by temporary considerations, but mani-
festing a decided repugnance to the supremacy of the
national legislature over any part of the revenue.
It declared, "that the permitting any power other than
the general assembly of this commonwealth, to levy duties
or taxes upon the citizens of this state, within the same,
is injurious to its sovereignty, may prove destructive of the
rights and liberty of this people, and so far as congress
might exercise the same, is contravening the spirit of the
confederation. " Unpropitious as this procedure was, no
other resource existed, and the debate proceeded in a com-
mittee on " permanent funds. "
The first question to be decided was, whether if funds
were provided they were to be collected by the states, or,
as Hamilton had previo usly urged, should depend on " a
single will. " With a view to its decision, he offered the
following declaratory resolution:--" That it is the opinion
of congress that complete justice cannot be done to the
creditors of the United States, nor the restoration of pub-
lic credit be effected, nor the future exigencies of the war
be provided for, but by the establishment of permanent
and adequate funds, to operate generally throughout the
United States, to be collected by congress. "
The petition of the officers of the army had been heard
and answered; the memorial of the other public creditors
had not been replied to.
After the late act of Virginia repealing the impost, it
was particularly important that they should receive a
similar pledge of ultimate justice. Prompted by this con-
sideration, immediately after the introduction of this im-
portant resolution, Hamilton presented a report on the
memorial of Pennsylvania respecting the debts due to her
6
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THE LIFE OF
citizens. This report stated," that any attempts to pay any
of the past debts, would form so heavy a deduction from
the greatest revenue that could be raised as would totally
obstruct all present service, and that any present provision
should be confined to the interest of the public debts.
That such provision would offer eventual relief to the pub-
lic creditors, and enable them to support their share of the
public burdens without appropriating the whole revenue
which can be drawn from the people to a payment of debts,
and leaving thereby the public service unprovided for,
which would involve the ruin of all ranks, creditors and
others. That congress were and had long been deeply
impressed with the absolute necessity that speedy and
effectual measures should be taken, first to liquidate and
ascertain the public debts, and then to secure the payment
of the interest until the principal could be discharged.
Acts of congress were referred to as evidence of this
assertion. He added, that after a delay of two years,
Rhode Island had entirely refused its concurrence to the
impost, that Virginia had withdrawn its assent once given,
and that a third state had returned no answer.
The inability of congress to perform its engagements,
was stated to have resulted from the defective compliances
of the states during the war. Of the last requisition for
eight millions, only four hundred and twenty thousand dol-
lars had been collected. The proceeds of the foreign
loans* were stated, showing an available balance a little
* In vol. 1, page 273, of Madison's Debates, this passage is found:--
"In a late report, which had been drawn up by Mr. Hamilton, and made
to congress, in answer to a memorial from the legislature of Pennsylvania,
among other things showing the impossibility congress had been under of
paying their creditors, it was observed, that the aid afforded by the court of
France, had been appropriated by that court, at the time, to the immediate
use of the army. This clause was objected to as unnecessary, and as dis.
honourable to congress. The fact also was controverted. Mr. Hamilton
#
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? HAMILTON.
43
exceeding eight hundred thousand dollars; while to feed,
clothe, and pay the army, required nearly six millions.
The whole sum within the command of congress, was
and Mr. Fitzsimmons justified the expediency of retaining it, in order to
justify congress the more explicitly in failing to fulfil their engagements to
the public creditors. Mr. Wilson and Madison proposed to strike out the
words ' appropriated by France,' and substitute the words ' applied by con-
gress to the immediate and necessary support of the army. ' This proposi-
tion would have been readily approved, had it not appeared on examination,
that in one or two small instances, and particularly in the payment of the
balance due to Arthur Lee, Esq. , other applications had been made of the aid
in question. The report was finally recommitted. "
This is no less than a charge of stating an untruth, and justifying it on
the score of expediency, on the part of two gentlemen whose probity never
was suspected, and for the motive of justifying congress with the public
creditors. This minute is of the 24th of January. It speaks of a late report
made to congress. The journal of that date does not refer to this report, but
on the thirtieth of January it is given in full, as having been " agreed to as
follows. " A reason assigned by Madison why the clause thus objected to
was not stricken out, is, that there had been a diversion of the money in one
or two small instances. He adds, that it was recommitted. But if these
instances prevented this clause being expunged, if it had been originally in
the report, it must necessarily have been retained. On referring to this re-
port, " agreed to" by congress, no such clause can be found. Its language
is--" But according to the best accounts which can be obtained, the antici-
pations made in the funds for the year 1782 amounted, at the close of 1781,
to four millions of livres. For the service of that year, his most christian
majesty lent the United States 6,000,000 livres. "--4 J. C. 155.
But if it be assumed that the clause was there originally, and was
stricken out, the charge is unsupported. The journals, page 202, contain
the papers which Madison as chairman of a committee reported, and refer-
red to in an address of which he was the author. One of these papers, No.
IV. , is a letter from the French ambassador at Philadelphia, dated March
15, 1783. It commences thus--" Sir: I have the satisfaction to inform you,
that his majesty procures for the United States a loan of six millions, to be
employed in the war department during the course of the current year. "
"The Count de Vergennes informs me, sir, that the six millions are lent to
the United States in the same manner, and under the same conditions, with
the sum which was lent last year. " "I have had the honour to inform you,
air, that this money is lent to the United States to enable them to carry on
the war. The wisdom of congress will determine according to circum-
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THE LIFE OF
little more than a million and a half of dollars; a sum insuf-
ficient to pay the interest then due on the public debts.
"Yet," Hamilton remarked, " notwithstanding the discour-
aging obstacles they have hitherto encountered, they
conceive it a duty to themselves and to their constituents,
to persevere in their intentions to renew and extend their
endeavours to procure the establishment of revenues equal
to the purpose of funding all the debts of the United States;
and they think it proper to inform the assembly of Penn-
sylvania, that this subject is now before them under so-
lemn deliberation, and that her ready and early compliance
with the recommendation of (an impost) assures congress
of the vigorous support of that state. "
Soon after this pledge was given, a report as to the
mode of valuing the lands was taken into consideration.
This report proposed that the states should pass laws
forming themselves into districts, and should appoint com-
missioners to estimate the value of their lands; which
estimate, if approved by congress, was to determine the
requisitions to be made.
Convinced that no efficient plan would be adopted from
the predominance of state jealousies, and regarding the
contemplated mode as involving inequalities and contro-
versy, Hamilton moved to postpone the valuation. He
assigned as reasons, " the great expense of it, to which the
finances were then inadequate, and that in a matter so
stances on the manner of effecting that important object, and of compelling
the enemy, by joint efforts, to conclude a solid and permanent peace. "
That such was the sole object of this loan made by France, then under
great pecuniary pressure, is obvious. Already a creditor for a large amount,
it cannot be supposed that France would have made an additional loan to
the United States to pay their domestic creditors. A declaration such as
that which Madison represents Wilson as concurring with him in endeavour-
ing to substitute, would have been to declare that congress had violated their
pledge to France in applying this loan to the immediate use of the army--
the express use for which the loan was granted.
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? HAMILTON.
45
fundamental in the confederation, it was essential to the
harmony and welfare of the United States, that it should
be carried into effect with great care, circumspection, and
impartiality, and that a short delay would be much less
pernicious than a defective execution. "
After thus urging that the attempt should be deferred,
he pledged congress to proceed to an accurate valuation
of the land by commissioners, appointed by them, and act-
ing under their authority, upon principles uniform through-
out the United States; that when this valuation is com-
plete, congress will finally adjust the accounts of the
United States with the states separately, agreeably to that
standard, making equitable abatements to such as have
been more immediate sufferers by the war: that in the
mean time they would adhere, in the temporary adjust-
ment of these accounts, to the proportions established by
the requisitions of congress; and with a view to an eventual
plan, he requested the states to transmit to them the valua-
tions they had made, with an explanation of the principles
on which they had been made.
This motion, though supported by a majority of mem-
bers, was lost in a vote by states, and the plan reported
was rejected.
The course of their proceedings gave small prospect
of any salutary results. The officers were urgently press-
ing their claims. The justice of those claims was not to
be questioned. The terms of commutation offered by the
army, could not be excepted to. The claimants were
suffering. They had received nothing but assurances, and
they had reason to believe that, on the part of many, those
assurances were deceptive. There was danger. Hamilton
felt it, and after due reflection, he unbosomed his appre-
hensions to the commander-in-chief.
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HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.
Philadelphia, Feb. 7,1783.
SIR,
Flattering myself that your knowledge of me will in-
duce you to receive the observations I make as dictated
by a regard to the public good, I take the liberty to sug-
gest to you my ideas on some matters of delicacy and im-
portance. I view the present juncture as a very interest-
ing one. I need not observe how far the temper and
situation of the army make it so. The state of our finan-
ces was perhaps never more critical. I am under injunc-
tions which will not permit me to disclose some facts that
would at once demonstrate this position, but I think it
probable you will be possessed of them through another
channel. * It is however certain that there has scarcely
been a period of the revolution which called more for
wisdom and decision in congress. Unfortunately for us,
we are a body not governed by reason or foresight, but
by circumstances. It is probable we shall not take the
proper measures; and if we do not, a few months may
open an embarrassing scene. This will be the case, whether
we have peace or a continuance of the war.
If the war continues, it would seem that the army must
in June subsist itself to defend the country; if peace should
take place, it will subsist itself to procure justice to itself.
It appears to be a prevailing opinion in the army, that the
disposition to recompense their services will cease with
the necessity for them, and that if they once lay down
their arms, they part with the means of obtaining justice.
It is to be lamented that appearances afford too much
ground for their distrust.
* Probably from the superintendent of finance.
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? HAMILTON. 47
It becomes a serious inquiry, What is the true line of
policy? The claims of the army, urged with moderation,
but with firmness, may operate on those weak minds
which are influenced by their apprehensions more than
by their judgments, so as to produce a concurrence in the
measures which the exigencies of affairs demand. They
may add weight to the applications of congress to the
several states. So far a useful turn may be given to
them. But the difficulty will be to keep a complaining
and suffering army within the bounds of moderation.
This your excellency's influence must effect. In order
to it, it will be advisable not to discountenance their en-
deavours to procure redress, but rather, by the intervention
of confidential and prudent persons, to take the direction
of them.
