Although I am under the impression that our founders were admirers of Adam Smith, I am seeing by Googling around that Hamilton was something of a protectionist.
I doubt you will find sufficiently deep works on Google regarding Hamilton to get a good idea of what he really was. There are many biographies which do show this however.
Forrest MacDonald's is the best for an understanding of his economic program and beliefs. A two page essay is less than ideal particularly wrt to this issue which is about all you will find on Google. Most are little more than Cliff Notes type stuff suitable for a bried overview but no real understanding of this, the most complex of men.
His reliance on the tariff was primarily for revenue but was mildly protectionist since there was no possibility for Free trade when our products were excluded by law from the markets of the European empires. A tariff rate of 10-15% is not particularly protectionist in any case.
You will find people who believe him to be a standard mercantilist but further research into his beliefs shows that to be a misunderstanding of his policies.
There are other biographies of him which are excellent if you are interested in this great man.