Alexander Hamilton: Writings (LOA #129)

Alexander Hamilton: Writings (LOA #129)

Alexander Hamilton: Writings (LOA #129)

Alexander Hamilton: Writings (LOA #129)

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Overview

Alexander Hamilton, the subject of Lin-Manuel Miranda's smash hit Broadway musical, comes to life in his own words in this critically acclaimed collection, which also includes conflicting eyewitness accounts of the duel with Aaron Burr that led to his death. One of the most vivid, influential, and controversial figures of the founding of America, Hamilton was an unusually prolific and vigorous writer. As a military aide to George Washington, critic of the Articles of Confederation, proponent of ratification of the Constitution, first Secretary of the Treasury, and leader of the Federalist Party, Hamilton devoted himself to the creation of a militarily and economically powerful American nation guided by a strong, energetic republican government. His public and private writings demonstrate the perceptive intelligence, confident advocacy, driving ambition, and profound concern for honor and reputation that contributed both to his astonishing rise to fame and to his tragic early death.

Arranged chronologically, this volume contains more than 170 letters, speeches, pamphlets, essays, reports, and memoranda written between 1769 and 1804. Included are all fifty-one of Hamilton’s contributions to The Federalist, as well as subsequent writings calling for a broad construction of federal power; his famous speech to the Constitutional Convention, which gave rise to accusations that he favored monarchy; and early writings supporting the Revolutionary cause and a stronger central government. His detailed reports as Secretary of the Treasury on the public credit, a national bank, and the encouragement of manufactures present a forward-looking vision of a country transformed by the power of financial markets, centralized banking, and industrial development.
Hamilton’s sometimes flawed political judgment is revealed in the “Reynolds Pamphlet,” in which he confessed to adultery in order to defend himself against accusations of corrupt conduct, as well as in his self-destructive pamphlet attack on John Adams during the 1800 presidential campaign. An extensive selection of private letters illuminates Hamilton’s complex relationship with George Washington, his deep affection for his wife and children, his mounting fears during the 1790s regarding the Jeffersonian opposition and the French Revolution, and his profound distrust of Aaron Burr. 

LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation’s literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America’s best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781931082044
Publisher: Library of America
Publication date: 10/15/2001
Series: Library of America Founders Collection , #4
Pages: 1108
Product dimensions: 5.19(w) x 8.17(h) x 1.36(d)

About the Author

Joanne B. Freeman, volume editor, is professor of history at Yale University and the author of Affairs of Honor: National Politics in the New Republic, and has appeared in the PBS American Experience documentary “The Duel.”

Read an Excerpt



Chapter One


"MY AMBITION IS PREVALENT"

To Edward Stevens


St Croix Novemr. 11th 1769
Dear Edward

    This just serves to acknowledge receipt of yours per Cap Lowndes which was delivered me Yesterday. The truth of Cap Lightbourn & Lowndes information is now verifyd by the Presence of your Father and Sister for whose safe arrival I Pray, and that they may, convey that Satisfaction to your Soul that must naturally flow from the sight of Absent Friends in health, and shall for news this way refer you to them. As to what you say respecting your having soon the happiness of seeing us all, I wish, for an accomplishment of your hopes provided they are Concomitant with your welfare, otherwise not, tho doubt whether I shall be Present or not for to confess my weakness, Ned, my Ambition is prevalent that I contemn the grov'ling and condition of a Clerk or the like, to which my Fortune &c. condemns me and would willingly risk my life tho' not my Character to exalt my Station. Im confident, Ned that my Youth excludes me from any hopes of immediate Preferment nor do I desire it, but I mean to prepare the way for futurity. Im no Philosopher you see and may be jusly said to Build Castles in the Air. My Folly makes mc ashamd and beg youll Conceal it, yet Neddy we have seen such Schemes successfull when the Projector is Constant I shall Conclude saying I wish there was a War.

    I am Dr Edward Yours Alex Hamilton


PS I this moment receivd yours by William Smith and am pleasd to see you Give such Close Application to Study.


Excerpted from Alexander Hamilton by Alexander Hamilton. Copyright © 2001 by Literary Classics of the United States, Inc.. Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

The West Indies, the Revolution, and the Confederation, 1769-1786
To Edward Stevens, November 11, 1769: "My Ambition Is Prevalent"3
To Nicholas Cruger, February 24, 1772: Counting-House Business4
To The Royal Danish American Gazette, September 6, 1772: Account of a Hurricane6
A Full Vindication of the Measures of the Congress, December 15, 177410
To John Jay, November 26, 1775: The Danger of Trusting in Virtue43
To Gouverneur Morris, May 19, 1777: The New York Constitution46
To George Clinton, February 13, 1778: The Trouble with Congress48
To Elias Boudinot, July 5, 1778: The Battle of Monmouth51
To John Jay, March 14, 1779: Enlisting Slaves as Soldiers56
To John Laurens, c. April 1779: Hope for a Wife58
To William Gordon, September 5, 1779: An Insult to Honor61
To John Laurens, January 8, 1780: "I Am Not Fit for This Terrestreal Country"65
To Elizabeth Schuyler, August 1780: "Examine Well Your Heart"66
To James Duane, September 3, 1780: "The Defects of Our Present System"70
To Elizabeth Schuyler, September 3, 1780: Opinions Regarding the Sexes87
To Elizabeth Schuyler, September 25, 1780: The Plight of Mrs. Arnold89
To Elizabeth Schuyler, October 2, 1780: The Fate of Major Andre91
To Margarita Schuyler, January 21, 1781: Advice About Marriage92
To Philip Schuyler, February 18, 1781: A Break with Washington93
To James McHenry, February 18, 1781: Washington Will Repent His Ill-Humour97
The Continentalist No. I, July 12, 178198
The Continentalist No. III, August 9, 1781101
The Continentalist No. IV, August 30, 1781106
The Continentalist No. VI, July 4, 1782111
To Richard Kidder Meade, August 27, 1782: The Birth of a Son118
Remarks in Congress on Raising Funds, January 27, 1783120
Remarks in Congress on Collecting Funds, January 28, 1783121
To George Washington, February 13, 1783: The Prospect of a Mutiny121
To George Washington, March 17, 1783: "Contending for a Shadow"123
A Letter from Phocion to the Considerate Citizens of New-York on the Politics of the Day, January 1784127
To James Hamilton, June 22, 1785: "I Feel All the Sentiment of a Brother"140
Address of the Annapolis Convention, September 14, 1786142
Framing and Ratifying the Constitution, 1787-1789
Plan of Government, c. June 18, 1787149
Speech in the Constitutional Convention on a Plan of Government, June 18, 1787151
To George Washington, July 3, 1787: "The Critical Opportunity"166
Conjectures About the New Constitution, c. late September 1787167
The Federalist No. 1, October 27, 1787171
The Federalist No. 6, November 14, 1787176
The Federalist No. 7, November 17, 1787183
The Federalist No. 8, November 20, 1787190
The Federalist No. 9, November 21, 1787196
The Federalist No. 11, November 24, 1787202
The Federalist No. 12, November 27, 1787209
The Federalist No. 13, November 28, 1787215
The Federalist No. 15, December 1, 1787218
The Federalist No. 16, December 4, 1787226
The Federalist No. 17, December 5, 1787232
The Federalist No. 21, December 12, 1787237
The Federalist No. 22, December 14, 1787243
The Federalist No. 23, December 18, 1787253
The Federalist No. 24, December 19, 1787258
The Federalist No. 25, December 21, 1787264
The Federalist No. 26, December 22, 1787269
The Federalist No. 27, December 25, 1787275
The Federalist No. 28, December 26, 1787279
The Federalist No. 29, January 9, 1788284
The Federalist No. 30, December 28, 1787290
The Federalist No. 31, January 1, 1788296
The Federalist No. 32, January 2, 1788301
The Federalist No. 33, January 2, 1788305
The Federalist No. 34, January 5, 1788310
The Federalist No. 35, January 5, 1788316
The Federalist No. 36, January 8, 1788322
The Federalist No. 59, February 22, 1788330
The Federalist No. 60, February 23, 1788335
The Federalist No. 61, February 26, 1788341
The Federalist No. 65, March 7, 1788345
The Federalist No. 66, March 8, 1788351
The Federalist No. 67, March 11, 1788357
The Federalist No. 68, March 12, 1788362
The Federalist No. 69, March 14, 1788366
The Federalist No. 70, March 15, 1788374
The Federalist No. 71, March 18, 1788383
The Federalist No. 72, March 19, 1788388
The Federalist No. 73, March 21, 1788394
The Federalist No. 74, March 25, 1788400
The Federalist No. 75, March 26, 1788403
The Federalist No. 76, April 1, 1788408
The Federalist No. 77, April 2, 1788413
To James Madison, May 19, 1788: Coordinating a Campaign418
The Federalist No. 78, May 28, 1788420
The Federalist No. 79, May 28, 1788428
The Federalist No. 80, May 28, 1788431
The Federalist No. 81, May 28, 1788438
The Federalist No. 82, May 28, 1788448
The Federalist No. 83, May 28, 1788452
The Federalist No. 84, May 28, 1788467
The Federalist No. 85, May 28, 1788478
To James Madison, June 8, 1788: Fears of Civil War485
Speech in the New York Ratifying Convention on Representation, June 21, 1788487
Speech in the New York Ratifying Convention on Interests and Corruption, June 21, 1788496
Speech in the New York Ratifying Convention on the Distribution of Powers, June 27, 1788502
To George Washington, September 1788: Convincing Washington To Serve511
To James Wilson, January 25, 1789: Withholding Votes from Adams513
To George Washington, May 5, 1789: Presidential Etiquette515
Secretary of the Treasury, 1789-1795
To Lafayette, October 6, 1789: "I Hazard Much"521
Memorandum by George Beckwith on a Conversation with Hamilton, October 1789523
To Henry Lee, December 1, 1789: "Suspicion Is Ever Eagle Eyed"530
Report on the Public Credit, January 9, 1790531
Report on a National Bank, December 13, 1790575
Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank, February 23, 1791613
Report on the Subject of Manufactures, December 5, 1791647
To Philip A. Hamilton, December 5, 1791: "A Promise Must Never Be Broken"735
To Edward Carrington, May 26, 1792: "A Faction Decidedly Hostile to Me"736
To George Washington, July 30, 1792: The Necessity of Reelection751
An American No. I, August 4, 1792755
To George Washington, August 18, 1792: Political and Personal Defense760
To John Adams, September 9, 1792: Reprimanding Adams788
To George Washington, September 9, 1792: Responding to a Plea for Peace789
Amicus, September 11, 1792792
To an Unknown Correspondent, September 26, 1792: An Embryo-Cesar794
Draft of a Defense of the Neutrality Proclamation, c. May 1793795
Pacificus No. I, June 29, 1793801
To Andrew G. Fraunces, October 1, 1793: "Contemptible As You Are"810
To Angelica Hamilton, c. November 1793: Advice to a Daughter810
To George Washington, April 14, 1794: Crisis with Britain811
To George Washington, August 2, 1794: The Whiskey Rebellion823
Tully No. I, August 23, 1794827
Tully No. III, August 28, 1794830
To Angelica Church, October 23, 1794: "Wicked Insurgents of the West"832
To Angelica Church, December 8, 1794: "A Politician, and Good for Nothing"833
Memorandum on the French Revolution, 1794833
To George Washington, February 3, 1795: Resigning from Office836
Federalist Leader and Attorney, 1795-1804
To Rufus King, February 21, 1795: A Threat to the Public Credit841
To Robert Troup, April 13, 1795: "Public Fools"842
The Defence No. I, July 22, 1795844
Memorandum on the Design for a Seal of the United States, c. May 1796850
To George Washington, July 30, 1796: A Draft of the Farewell Address851
To William Loughton Smith, April 10, 1797: Crisis with France869
To William Hamilton, May 2, 1797: Introduction to an Uncle879
The "Reynolds Pamphlet," August 25, 1797883
To George Washington, May 19, 1798: An Appeal to Washington911
To Elizabeth Hamilton, November 1798: "My Good Genius"912
To Theodore Sedgwick, February 2, 1799: The Problem of Virginia913
To James McHenry, March 18, 1799: Displaying Strength "Like a Hercules"915
Memorandum on Measures for Strengthening the Government, c. 1799915
To Josiah Ogden Hoffman, November 6, 1799: "The Force of the Laws Must Be Tried"920
To Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, December 22, 1799: The Death of Washington922
To Martha Washington, January 12, 1800: "So Heart-Rending an Affliction"922
To John Jay, May 7, 1800: An Electoral Stratagem923
To Theodore Sedgwick, May 10, 1800: Withdrawing Support from Adams925
To Charles Carroll of Carrollton, July 1, 1800: Supporting Pinckney926
To John Adams, August 1, 1800: Response to an Accusation928
To Oliver Wolcott Jr., August 3, 1800: "I Am in a Very Belligerent Humour"929
To William Jackson, August 26, 1800: "The Most Humiliating Criticism"930
Rules for Philip Hamilton, 1800932
To John Adams, October 1, 1800: "A Base Wicked and Cruel Calumny"932
Letter from Alexander Hamilton, Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq. President of the United States, October 24, 1800934
To Gouverneur Morris, December 26, 1800: Jefferson Over Burr972
To John Rutledge Jr., January 4, 1801: Anxiety About the Election972
To James A. Bayard, January 16, 1801: Burr Has "No Fixed Theory"977
Proposal for the New York Legislature for Amending the Constitution, January 1802982
Remarks on the Repeal of the Judiciary Act, February 11, 1802983
To Gouverneur Morris, February 29, 1802: "Mine Is an Odd Destiny"985
To Benjamin Rush, March 29, 1802: The Death of Philip Hamilton987
To James A. Bayard, April 1802: The Christian Constitutional Society987
To Rufus King, June 3, 1802: "A Most Visionary Theory Presides"991
To Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, December 29, 1802: "Refuge of a Disappointed Politician"994
To Elizabeth Hamilton, March 17, 1803: "A World Full of Evil"995
Purchase of Louisiana, July 5, 1803996
To Timothy Pickering, September 16, 1803: Explaining a Plan of Government1002
Speech to a Federalist Meeting in Albany, February 10, 18041004
Propositions on the Law of Libel, February 15, 18041006
From Aaron Burr, June 18, 1804: Origins of a Dispute1008
To Aaron Burr, June 20, 1804: Declining to Avow or Disavow1010
From Aaron Burr, June 21, 1804: New Reasons for a Definite Reply1012
To Aaron Burr, June 22, 1804: "Expressions Indecorous and Improper"1013
From Aaron Burr, June 22, 1804: "The Course I Am About to Pursue"1014
Response to a Letter from William P. Van Ness, June 28, 18041015
Statement Regarding Financial Situation, July 1, 18041016
To Elizabeth Hamilton, July 4, 1804: "Fly to the Bosom of Your God"1019
Statement Regarding the Duel with Burr, c. July 10, 18041019
To Theodore Sedgwick, July 10, 1804: "Our Real Disease; Which Is Democracy"1022
To Elizabeth Hamilton, July 10, 1804: An Obligation Owed1023
AppendixStatements on the Hamilton-Burr Duel
Joint Statement by William P. Van Ness and Nathaniel Pendleton, July 17, 18041027
Statement by Nathaniel Pendleton, July 19, 18041028
Statement by William P. Van Ness, July 21, 18041030
Chronology1035
Note on the Texts1052
Notes1056
Index1090
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