ment of its necessary powers; to condense them CHAP. III, into a form and compass which would be accept- 1789. able to persons disposed to indulge the caprice, and to adopt the language of their particular states; were labours not easily to be accomplished. But the greatest difficulty to be surmounted was, the disposition to make those alterations which would enfeeble and materially injure the future operations of the government. At length, twelve articles in addition to and amendment of the constitution, were assented to by two thirds of both houses of congress, and proposed to the legislatures of the several states. Although the necessity of these amendments had been urged by the enemies of the constitution and denied by its friends, they encountered scarcely any other opposition in the state legislatures, than was given by the leaders of the antifederal party. Admitting the articles to be good in themselves, and to be required by the occasion, it was contended that they were not suffi cient for the security of liberty; and the apprehension was avowed that their adoption would quiet the fears of the people, and check the pursuit of those radical alterations which would afford a safe and adequate protection to their rights. Viewing many of those alterations which were required as subversive of the fundamentals of the government, and sincerely desirous of smoothing the way to a reunion of political sentiment by yielding in part to objections which had been pronounced important, the federalists, almost universally, exerted their utmost powers in support of the particular amendments which, had been recommended.

CHAP. II. They were at length ratified by the legislatures of 1789. three fourths of the states, and probably contri

of the officers

of the

cabinet,

buted in some degree, to diminish the jealousies which had been imbibed against the federal constitution.

The government being completely organized, and a system of revenue established, the important duty of filling the offices which had been created, remained to be performed. In the execution of this delicate trust, the purest virtue and the most impartial judgment were exercised in selecting the best talents, and the greatest weight of character, which the United States could furnish. Appointment Not fettered by previous engagements, nor influenced by the ties of friendship or of blood, the council and president exerted all the means he possessed to search out, in order to nominate, those persons who would discharge the duties of their respective offices to the best interest and highest credit of the American union. The unmingled patriotism of his motives would receive its clearest demonstration from a view of all his private letters on this subject and the success of his endeavours is completely attested by the abilities and reputation which he drew into the public service.

of the

judges.

At the head of the department of foreign affairs, since denominated the department of state, he placed Mr. Jefferson.

This gentleman had been bred to the bar, and at an early period of life, had acquired considerable reputation for extensive attainments in the science of politics. He had been a member of the second congress, and had been named to a diplo

matic appointment which he had declined. With- CHAP. IIL drawing from the administration of continental 1789. affairs, he had been elected governor of Virginia, which office he filled for two years. He afterwards again represented his native state in the councils of the union, and in the year 1784, was appointed to succeed Dr. Franklin at the court of Versailles. In that station, he had acquitted himself much to the public satisfaction, and had added considerably to the reputation he had previously acquired. His notes on Virginia, which were read with applause, were generally considered as an able specimen of his talents for composition, and as evincing the correctness of his political opinions. He had long been contemplated by America amongst the most eminent of her citizens, and had long been classed by the president with those who were most capable of serving the nation with effect. Having lately obtained permission to return for a short time to the United States, he was, while on his passage, nominated to this important office, and, on his arrival in Virginia, found a letter from the president giving him the option of becoming the secretary of foreign affairs, or of retaining his station at the court of Versailles. He appears rather to have inclined to continue in his foreign appointment, and, in changing his situation, to have consulted the wishes of the first magistrate more than the preference of his own mind,

The task of recreating public credit, of drawing order and arrangement from the chaotic confusion in which the finances of America were involved,

1789.

CHAP. III. and of devising means which should render the revenue productive, and commensurate with the demand, in a manner least burdensome to the people, was justly classed among the most arduous of the duties which devolved on the new government. In discharging it, much aid was expected from the head of the treasury. To colonel Hamilton was assigned this important, and at that time intricate department.

This gentleman was a native of the island of St. Croix, and, at a very early period of life, had been placed by his friends, in New York. Possessing an ardent temper, he caught fire from the concussions of the moment, and with all the enthusiasm of youth, engaged first his pen, and afterwards his sword, in the stern contest between the American colonies and their parent state. Among the first troops raised by New York was a corps of artillery, in which he was appointed a captain. Soon after the war was transferred to the Hudson, his superior endowments recommended him to the attention of the commander in chief, into whose family, before completeing his twenty first year, he was invited to enter. Equally brave and intelligent, he continued in this situation to display a degree of firmness and capacity which commanded the confidence and esteem of his general, and of the principal officers in the army.

After the capitulation at York Town, the war languished throughout the American continent, and the probability that its termination was approaching daily increased.

1789.

The critical circumstances of the existing gov- CHAP. III ernment rendered the events of the civil, more interesting than those of the military department, and colonel Hamilton accepted a seat in the congress of the United States. In all the important acts of the day, he performed a conspicuous part, and was greatly distinguished among those distinguished characters whom the crisis had attracted to the councils of their country. He had afterwards been active in promoting those measures which led to the convention at Philadelphia, of which he was a member, and had greatly contributed to the adoption of the constitution by the state of New York. In the distinguished part he had performed both in the military and civil transactions of his country, he had acquired a great degree of well merited fame; and the frankness of his manners, the openness of his temper, the warmth of his feelings, and the sincerity of his heart, had secured him many valuable friends.

To talents of the highest grade, he united a patient industry, not always the companion of genius, which fitted him in a peculiar manner for the difficulties to be encountered by the man who should be placed at the head of the American finances.

The department of war was already filled by general Knox. Throughout the contest of the revolution this officer had continued at the head of the American artillery, and from being the colonel of a regiment had been promoted to the rank of a major general. In this important station, he had preserved a high military character; and,