The propriety of introducing at large such a document, may, perhaps, be questioned; but, when it is remembered that the fate of the American Union depended on the fulfilment of its engagements; with what difficulty its discordant members were induced to co-operate; and when we view Hamilton as the chief instrument in producing this result; a knowledge of every circumstance which can throw light on the state of public opinion; of every obstacle which was encountered; and of every ef fort which was made; becomes essential in enabling us to judge of the nature and extent of his services.

There is another view, which has a deep and touching interest. Amidst the glare of war, the civil sufferers of the revolution have been little regarded; and the individuals who nerved the arm of the country with their wealth; who parted with the fruits of their industry; who were reduced from affluence to indigence; who had none of the quickening incentives of ambition to sustain them; whose intelligence disclosed to them all the hazards they incurred; and who leaned solely on an elevated and self-denying patriotism, were often remembered only to be stigmatized. They are brought before us here in person with all their unrequited wrongs; standing before the altar of public faith; claiming the fulfilment of its pledges for the sacrifices they had made; in the midst of them is seen Hamilton, pleading in their behalf for that justice which, though long delayed, it was reserved to his hand to administer.

Of the letters addressed by him at this time to the Superintendent of Finance, one recently obtained is extremely interesting from the graphic view it gives of the situation and temper of the State, its resources and embarrassments, the characters of its public men, the tone of the public mind.

From this letter alone may be seen how early ripened were Hamilton's financial opinions; a partial judgment also may be formed by analogy of the extraordinary difficulties, labors and capacity of Robert Morris, whose luminous views of the interests of the country, are only less remarkable than the energy, firmness, and resource, with which he seemed to have borne on his shoulders its tottering fortunes.

CHAPTER XXX.

How most to advance those fortunes, and to place them on a solid basis, now engrossed Hamilton's thoughts. With the same satisfaction that is seen in the annunciation to his late companions in Washington's staff, of his election to Congress, he wrote to Gen. Greene, on the 12th of October, from Albany: :

"It is an age since I have either written to you, or received a line from you; yet I persuade myself you have not been the less convinced of my affectionate attachment, and warm participation in all those events which have given you that place in your country's esteem and approbation which I have known you to deserve, while your enemies and rivals were most active in sullying your reputation.

"You will perhaps learn, before this reaches you, that I have been appointed a member of Congress. I expect to go to Philadelphia in the ensuing month, where I shall be happy to correspond with you with our ancient confidence; and I shall entreat you not to confine your observations to military subjects, but to take in the whole scope of national concerns. I am sure your ideas will be useful to me and to the public.

"I feel the deepest affliction at the news we have just received of the loss of our dear and estimable friend

excel

Laurens. His career of virtue is at an end. How strangely are human affairs conducted, that so many lent qualities could not survive a more happy fate! The world will feel the loss of a man who has left few like him behind, and America of a citizen whose heart realized that patriotism of which others only talk. I shall feel the loss of a friend I truly and most tenderly loved, and one of a very small number." Having in view an interest in some property in the West Indies, which he inherited from his mother, he adds, "I take the liberty to enclose you a letter to Mr. Kane, executor to the estate of Mr. Lavine, a half-brother of mine who died some time since in South Carolina. Captain Roberts, if you should not be acquainted with him, can inform you where he is. I shall be much obliged to you to have my letter carefully forwarded." His expectations from this source were disappointed. "I am sorry to inform you," Dr. Knox wrote him, "that no justice seems to be done in the dealing of Mr. Litton, and that as things are situated and perplexed, I fear little will come out of it for any of the heirs." *

A short time after, Hamilton informed the Superintendent of Finance, that he had received a small sum, part of a loan he had negotiated at Albany, and on the last day of October he resigned the office of Continental Receiver.

His partial success, while in this office, in drawing forth the public resources, had convinced him that little aid was to be derived from domestic supplies. Yet how small these had been, is scarcely credible.

The total demand made by Congress upon the States, from the beginning of the war to the 1st of March, eighty, was little more than five millions of dollars; and this demand had not been complied with.†

* Oct. 27, 1783.

Diplomatic Correspondence, xi. 447.

It was obvious that additional aid from France was the only resource. This resource was doubtful. The capture of Cornwallis had induced her late in the preceding year to grant a new loan with a view to the recovery of New York and Charleston. But the determination not to furnish larger aids was peremptorily announced.

Hamilton believed that the same motives which had governed her court, would still have influence.

The Viscount de Noailles had written to him:"Though I was not born in a free country, my dear Colonel, I shall see with pleasure the foundations you are about to establish for the happiness and tranquillity of a people with whom all the nations of Europe have the same rights. Once this epoch arrived, humanity will cast her eyes with pleasure upon another world, and will behold without envy a people which only owes its happiness to its own courage."

Hamilton replied, "I was chagrined to find, that you left us with an intention not to return. Though I should be happy if, by a removal of the war, this country should cease to be a proper theatre for your exertions, yet if it continues to be so, I hope you will find sufficient motives to change your resolution. Wherever you are, you will be useful and distinguished; but the ardent desire I have of meeting you again, makes me wish America may be your destination. I would willingly do it in France, as you invite me to do; but the prospect of this is remote. I must make a more solid establishment here before I can conveniently go abroad. There is no country I have a greater curiosity to see, or which I am persuaded would be so interesting to me, as yours. I should be happy to renew and improve the valuable acquaintances from thence which this war has given me an opportunity of