Complete Works. Hamilton Alexander

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СКАЧАТЬ would appear that he accepted the office only after continued urging, and remained a congressman at the same time. So in debt was the country then that it was spoken of as a "bankrupt Confederation." His friend, Chancellor Livingston, smarting under his own excessive taxation, thus wrote to Hamilton at a later time:

       Robert R. Livingston to Alexander Hamilton

      Clesmont, 5th March, 1787.

      I received your information relative to the law for dividing the district. I am much obliged by your attention to that object. While I condole with you on the loss of the impost, I congratulate you on the laurels you acquired in fighting its battles. I see you are making some progress in the new system of taxation, but I could hardly credit my eyes when I saw Jones opposed to the clause for a tax on houses, since if I am not extremely deceived I heard him commend to you your ideas on that subject at a law dinner. Be very tender on the point of taxation. I am convinced no direct tax of any importance can be raised. The minds of the people in this part of the state are sore and irritable— The Collectors are all disturbed upon not being able to collect the quota of the £50,000 tax. Indeed the improvident grants of money both in this and Dutchess County for the building of Court Houses and the collection of arrears all within six months have fallen extremely heavy. You will be astonished when I tell you that my tax in this past year upon an estate which has never produced me £400 per annum is upwards of £600 in certificate and; £260 specie, including arrears of one year and one year's arrears when I lived in Philadelphia and was not an inhabitant of this State. I shall endeavor to make my stay here useful by effecting some changes in the representation which I have good hopes of accomplishing in Dutches County. When I have conversed with most of the leading people at this end of it who agree with me in thinking a change necessary, the County will I think remove five of their old members.

      I expect that this will product some attack on me or my salary by those who know I opposed to them. All I expect for my friends will be that they do not suffer such reductions to be made as will be dishonourable to [illegible]. A liberal and honourable appointment such as would enable me to live as I would wish constantly in New York I cannot expect it from the prevailing party.

      Hamilton was elected to Congress in November, 1782, and held this office for a year, meanwhile studying and acting as Receiver of Taxes. When finally devoted himself to law, he did not entirely relinquish his other affairs, for his interest in the young government was incompatible with more selfish concerns, so that from 1786, when he took part in the Annapolis Convention, to May, 1787, when the new convention was called to meet in Philadelphia, his practice was of secondary moment. In his own State he fairly lashed the obstructionists into line, the rout of Clinton and his followers taking place at the meeting in Poughkeepsie, and as a result he, with Yates and Lansing, were sent to Congress as delegates.

      Hamilton lived in New York most of the time, and after his triumph in securing the adoption of the Constitution by his own State received the great ovation which his talents and labor had merited. The Federalists at first were by no means in harmony, and Clinton and his faction were loath to accept a new plan of government which would interfere with the exercise of local power and the continuance of existing privileges. Hamilton, almost alone, fought the majority, and by sheer endurance and obstinacy and unanswerable arguments won over many of his most stubborn adversaries. He did what was necessary to stir up public opinion and to bring all disorderly and warring elements into unity, so that the Constitution was ratified and New York tardily came into line in favor of a National Government. The victory was nowhere more appreciated than in his own State, and a great Federal parade and celebration took place in New York City, a miniature full-rigged ship being carried through the streets, which was typical of the Federal party, and bore the name "Hamilton."

      The depleted condition of the Treasury at this time, and the same causes that led the unruly troops to rebel at an earlier period, must have existed to some extent throughout Hamilton's early tenure of office. His cash-books certainly indicate that he was practically obliged to equip his company of artillery out of his own pocket, and it is probable that he was helped by others, for he had no money, or at least very little. When he first had time to keep accounts, we find this borne out by various entries, but usually on the credit side.

       MILITARY ACCOUNT

      On September 13, 1789, when called to the Treasury, he still lived in New York, but later went to Philadelphia in August, 1790, where he resided until 1795, when he came back to his own city. After his resignation on the 31st of January, 1795, he went to the house of his father-in-law. General Schuyler, at Albany, and in the fall of that year returned to New York and again took up the practice of his profession. From a document, signed by Richard Varick, then the mayor of New York, in the Congressional Library, it is stated that he was extended the freedom of the city, and welcomed with great cordiality by all classes. On February 27, 1795, a banquet was given by the Chamber of Commerce to manifest its respect for Alexander Hamilton, the late Secretary of the Treasury. An account of the affair is thus given in a contemporary paper:

      A splendid Dinner was given at their Hall in the Tontine Coffee House.

      The Corporation on the festive occasion was honored by the Company of the Chancellor of the State, the Judges, the Speakers of the Assembly, the Recorder of the City, the President of Columbia College and many others present of which a great number were merchants. The company consisted of two hundred guests, the room not being large enough to accommodate more. Great decorum as well as conviviality marked the entertainment, and the Company expressed peculiar satisfaction in this opportunity of demonstrating their respect for a man who by discharging the duties of an important office, HAS DESERVED WELL OF HIS COUNTRY. A toast was drunk as follows:

      1. President of the United States .... 3 cheers. 2. The Vice President and Congress .... " 3. The Governor of the State .... " 4. Agriculture .... 5. Commerce .... 3 cheers 6. Industry and Improvement .... " 7. Liberty and Law .... " 8. Social order and social happiness .... " 9. The People of the United States Brothers of one Family .... " .... " 10. General Wayne and the Army .... " 11. National Credit .... " 12. Integrity and Knowledge .... " 13. Patriotism and Honest Favour .... " 14. The Esteem of their Fellow Citizens an Inestimable reward, to those who have deserved well of their country—3 times .... 3 cheers.

       Volunteer Toasts.

      1. By the chair. The immortal memory of Baron Steuben.

      2. By Mr. Hamilton. The merchants of New York, may

      they never cease to have Honour for their commander. Skill for their Pilot and Success for their Port—9 cheers.

      3. By the Chancellor. May Love and Honour be the Reward of Virtue.

      4. By Judge Lansing. The Commerce of the City of New York.

      5. By Judge Benson. The Honest Merchant.

      After Mr. Hamilton had withdrawn. By the chair—Alexander Hamilton—9 cheers.

      Hamilton, during the early years of his practice, lived at 57 Wall Street before' his removal to Philadelphia with the rest of the Cabinet. On his return in 1795 he occupied a small house at 56 Pine Street, and later moved to 58 Partition Street (now Fulton Street), then to Liberty Street, near Broadway. From there he went to 26 Broadway/ where he lived until 1802, when he built and occupied his country seat, nine miles above the city, which he called "The Grange," after the Scotch home of his ancestors.

      From his letters to his wife at various times we find that she visited, in his absence, at the house of Dr. Cochran, as well as that of G. L. Ogden, at 69 Stone Street, and various other places.

      When he lived at 26 СКАЧАТЬ