History of the Republic of the United States of America (Volume 5); As Traced in the Writings of Alexander Hamilton and of His Contemporaries

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1860. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER LXXIX. As soon as Hamilton's public avocations permitted, he replied, at large, to the President's letter. In his note * covering his Answers, he observed, They have unavoidably been drawn in haste, too much so to do perfect justice to the subject, and have been copied just as they flowed from my heart and pen, without revision or correction. You will observe, that here and there some severity appears. I have not fortitude enough always to hear with calmness, calumnies which necessarily include me as a principal object in the measures censured, of the falsehood of which I have the most unqualified consciousness. I trust that I shall always be able to bear, as I ought, imputations of errors of judgment; but I acknowledge, that I cannot be entirely patient under charges which impeach the integrity of my public motives or conduct. I feel, that I merit them in no degree, and expressions of indignation sometimes escape me in spite of every effort to suppress them. I rely on your goodness for the proper allowances. In this reply, each Objection is followed with its appropriate answer. Nothing could have occurred more happily for Hamil August 18, 1792. ton's fame than such an opportunity of exhibiting the motives, grounds and results of his policy.--His review of the objections is a most triumphant vindication of it and of the Federal party, from all the aspersions to which credulity long lent a willing ear. The * Objections and Answers, Respecting the - ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT, &S Hamilton has designated this paper, are too voluminous to be inserted here. He proved, that there had been no accumulation of the debt by the Funding system; that, the burthens of the people had been lightened, and that it was a mockery of tr...