Posted on 01/11/2005 6:57:16 AM PST by Valin
Alexander Hamilton was one of the most influential of the United States' founding fathers. As the first secretary of the treasury he placed the new nation on a firm financial footing, and although his advocacy of strong national government brought him into bitter conflict with Thomas Jefferson and others, his political philosophy was ultimately to prevail in governmental development. Hamilton's own career was terminated prematurely when he was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr in 1804.
~ Early Life ~
Hamilton was born on the West Indian island of Nevis, probably in 1755. Since he was the illegitimate son of Rachel Fawcett Lavien and James Hamilton, both of West Indian trading families, his exact birth date and the circumstances of his early life are difficult to determine. Modern research has established, however, that he was probably not born in 1757, as he and his children supposed; that he spent his youth mostly on the island of Saint Croix apprenticed as a clerk; and that in 1772 he was sent to New York City by his guardian, the merchant Nicholas Cruger.
Hamilton was obviously precocious, and his guardian sought to enroll him in the College of New Jersey at Princeton. When refused permission there to accelerate his program of studies, he enrolled instead at King's College (now Columbia University), New York City, in 1773 or 1774. In 1774-75, when he was not yet 20, he entered the growing dispute between the American colonies and the British government by writing many fervent tracts filled with doctrines of rebellion and natural rights derived from the philosopher John Locke.
Hamilton's bent, however, was toward action, so he enlisted in the militia and fought in the battles around New York City in 1775 and 1776. His zeal and organizing ability brought him to George Washington's attention and led to a commission, in March 1777, as lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army and aide-de-camp to its commander. He served with Washington for four years. Though admired as a superb staff officer, Hamilton longed for a field command, which he achieved in time to lead a regiment of New York troops at the Battle of Yorktown in October 1781.
Hamilton's personal life and social position in the new nation took a decisive turn in December 1780, when he married Elizabeth Schuyler, daughter of the wealthy and influential General Philip Schuyler. This connection placed Hamilton in the center of New York society. In 1782, shortly after leaving the army, he was admitted to legal practice in New York and became assistant to Robert Morris (1734-1806), who was then superintendent of finance. Well before his 30th birthday, then, Hamilton had had a distinguished military career, knew intimately most of the leaders of the American Revolution, had achieved high social standing, and was recognized as one of the leading lawyers in the country.
~ The Constitution and Federalism ~
Elected a member of the Continental Congress in 1782, Hamilton at once became a leading proponent of a stronger national government than that provided for by the Articles of Confederation. As aide to Washington he had observed the debilitating effect of "an uncontrollable sovereignty in each state" and called repeatedly for a strengthened Congress and more efficient executive departments. As a New York delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, he advocated a national government that would have virtually abolished the states and even called for a president-for-life to provide energetic leadership. He left the convention at the end of June, but he approved the Constitution subsequently drafted by his colleagues as preferable to the Articles, though it was not as strong as he wished it to be.
With John Jay and James Madison, Hamilton wrote a series of papers (published in book form as The Federalist, 1788) urging the people of New York to ratify the new constitution. His brilliant essays on the need for a stronger union, the utility of a national taxing power, and the importance of the executive and judicial branches of the federal government became classic statements of his political philosophy of strong leadership in the public interest. At the New York ratifying convention of June-July 1788, Hamilton and his allies defeated the previously dominant antifederal forces in the state.
Hamilton was the obvious choice to be the first secretary of the treasury under the new constitution. Holding this office from Sept. 11, 1789, to Jan. 31, 1795, he proved himself a brilliant administrator both in organizing the Treasury Department and in assisting generally to set guidelines for and staff all the departments of government. Most notably, however, he sent reports to Congress on the public credit and on the national bank. Hamilton argued that if the nation was to grow and prosper, its credit would have to be sound to encourage both foreign and domestic investment.
~ Secretary of the Treasury ~
He proposed, therefore, to pay the nation's debts in full and also to assume the unpaid debts of the various states. He urged this candidly as a means of both diminishing the fiscal importance of the states and cementing the loyalty of wealthy commercial interests to the federal government. With the nation's economy thus buttressed and biased toward commerce, Hamilton proposed that a national bank be established to help the federal government manage the nation's trade and finance. These proposals were accepted by Congress, and the Bank of the United States was chartered in 1791. His recommendations for a broad range of tariffs and bounties to stimulate the growth of manufacturing were not adopted at this time, however.
Hamilton's plans were so comprehensive and so brilliantly useful to commercial expansion that he aroused the opposition of Madison, Jefferson, and others who believed that such a strong government, informally allied as it was with the worldwide trading dominance of Great Britain, would subordinate agriculture and subvert the republican ideals of the American Revolution. Scorning the Jeffersonians as timid and backward-looking, Hamilton, with Washington's continuing support, organized a congressional majority for his policies.
He then took the lead in urging rapprochement with Great Britain, which culminated in Jay's Treaty (1794), and in firmly suppressing the so-called Whiskey Rebellion (1794), which was provoked by his excise taxes. By the time he retired from the Treasury Department in 1795, he had established the administrative and policy foundations of the new government, articulated a philosophy of "loose construction" of the Constitution, and founded, informally, the conservative Federalist Party as the instrument of his intentions.
~ Later Years ~
On leaving the government Hamilton resumed a busy and lucrative law practice. He continued to have a strong influence in the public councils, however. He supported a defiant posture toward France during the XYZ Affair (1798), and as inspector general of the army (1798-1800) he took charge of organizing the nation's defenses. Bitterly disappointed in President John Adam's erratic leadership, Hamilton openly opposed Adams's reelection in 1800. When it appeared, however, that Aaron Burr might win the presidency over Jefferson, Hamilton unhesitatingly threw his support to Jefferson, whose policies he scorned, rather than to Burr, whom he regarded as a man without principles.
This and other opposition by Hamilton so frustrated and angered Burr that he challenged Hamilton to a duel. The two men fought at Weehawken, N.J., on July 11, 1804. Hamilton apparently fired into the air, but Burr took direct aim. Hamilton fell mortally wounded and died the next day in New York. He was buried in Trinity churchyard, New York City. He left his wife and seven children heavily in debt, but friends soon paid off the debts. Hamilton was mourned by his countrymen as one who had devoted his life to the nation's growth in freedom and prosperity.
Robert Hendrickson's biography is also marvelous and Forrest MacDonald's the best summary of his financial program that I have seen. There are many good ones not all favoring Alex.
I also marvel at the fact that Trinity church was once the tallest building in New York. It gives a little perspective on New York then, and now.
And ,if I am not mistaken ,Hamilton is cited in display
at the State Supreme Court bldg. Harrisburg,Pa. reflecting
on Blackstone on origin of our Laws.How they are invalid if
they violate Scripture.How curious in a State that has
confused Sexual orientaiton/behavior with civil rights--and
considers Scripture -Hate speech.
Cant, unverifiable assertions, yadda, yadda...
Nash's case is airtight.
If you had read the book-along with the hundred+ pages of supporting documents-you would realize that.
(Blushing.)
:)
IMHO, it was indeed fortuitous for our young nation that Burr removed both himself AND Hamilton from the political arena at this stage of our development.
my children were educatd in public school--I thought I could not afford a private church run school-the public school following national public school policy encouraged my only son to "try"homosexual behavior-and "decide for himself" They encouraged and protected my son to think he was homosexual--my girls they offered No protection at all too. My girls droppe dout and got diploma form alternative school. Public schools "militate" all students against the
foundational Christian principles and beliefs and for that
there can be no forgiveness.We ought return to the old ways
of public schools under th edomain of the local church .
Burr had a few good years left in him, yet. Believe me, he would have rode out that disastrous gubernatorial run, shady Western speculation schemes and murder of one of our nation's founding fathers, to sweep back into the political spotlight. Trust me! I have the polls to prove it.
The assertion that the new nation could have "easily" financed the purchase of the slaves is sufficient to discredit this book. That comment shows he either knows little about the era or that he is lying. I suspect the latter.
It wouldn't have been any different-in principle-than the scheme-which was eventually adopted by Abraham Lincoln-of compensated manumission in the (slave) border states that remained in the Union, after the outset of the Civil War.
IMHO, it was indeed fortuitous for our young nation that Burr removed both himself AND Hamilton from the political arena at this stage of our development.
I have often thought the same thing.
From what little I've read on this Burr was suprised that the duel destroyed his career.
There was no 'trade war'.
"And I sincerely believe, with you, that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale."-- Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, May 28, 1816
Actually it did not matter with regard to Hamilton since he was politically neutralized. His great deeds lived on since Jefferson did not change them and those who had fought tooth and nail against the Bank found themselves having to recharter it following the Congressional zealots and ideologes refusal to do so under Madison (though against his advice.)
Hamilton was more responsible for the growth and strength of the United States than any man but Washington who supported his policies to the letter. The Washington-Hamilton alliance was the most productive in American history and the most beneficial to the nation. Keeping Jefferson away from the presidency for almost a decade was perhaps their most important achievement. After that the damage he could do was survivable by a nation strengthened by Hamiltonianism.
He sacrificed himself to prevent a "Cataline" like Burr from regaining political power in his last great act for America.
When history isn't on your side, resort to conspiracy theories to explain it all away.
Thanks.
None of that happened to my boy. Had there been anything like that there would have been hell to pay.
There is no "national public school policy" that suggests such behavior and who ever told you that is lying.
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