Lives of John Jay and Alexander Hamilton

Contents

Life of John Jay.

Pago

Preface .11

Chapter I

French origin of the Family of Jay. — Brief Memoir of his immediate Ancestors. — His Birth and early Education. — He enters Columhia College, and graduates with Honour. •'—He studies Law, and is admitted to its Practice. — He is appointed Secretary to the Commission for running the Boundary between JYew-Jersey and JYew-York. — He marries 13

CHAPTER n.

Committee of Correspondence appointed hy the Citizens of Mew-York. — Jay is chosen a Member. — Proposal for a General Congress. — Jay is elected a Delegate to the first General Congress. — Address of Congress to the People of England. — Provisional Congress of JYew-York. — Commencement of Hostilities. — Appeal of Congress to the Inhabitants of Canada. — Declaration hy Con-

IV CONTENTS.

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gress of the Causes for taking up Arms. — Petition of Congress to the King of Great Britain, — Moral Consequences of this Petition. — Jay is named a Colonel of Infantry, — Overtures of the French Government. — Measures for the repression of the Tories.- — Manifesto of Congress hi relation to Privateers. — Convention in JYew-York for the formation of a Constitution. — First Draught of that Constitution hy Jay. — Reflections on the Character of that Instrument 26

CHAPTER m.

Council of Safety of the State of J^ew-York, — Appeal to the Inhabitants of Try cm County. — Jay is named Chief-justice of JYew- York. — Visit of Washington to Jay. — Scheme for the Conquest of Canada. — Jay returns as a Delegate to Congress, and resigns his seat on the Bench. — He is chosen President of Congress. — He is appointed Ambassador to Spain.— He sails on that Mission. — He is driven by Stress of Weather into Martinique. — He re-embarks, and lands at Cadiz. — He is invited to Madrid, but not formally received. — Question in relation to the Right of navigating the Mississippi. — Draughts of Congress upon Jay,

CONTENTS. V

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and Difficulties to which he is exposed in consequence. — Jay is named a Commissioner to negotiate a Treaty w^'th Great Britain. — Impolitic and humiliating Instructions to the Commissioners 45

CHAPTER IV.

JVegotiations at Paris for a general Peace, — Jay^s Acts as Commissioner on the part of the United States. — Attempt of the French Ministry to control the Commissioners, which is frustrated hy Jay. — He communicates with the British Ministry through Mr. Vaughan. — Preliminary Articles agreed upon between the United States and England. — Jay is offered the Embassy to England. — A general Peace concluded . . .63

CHAPTER V.

Jay visits London. — He is taken ill, and compelled to have recourse to the Bath Waters, — Delays attending the audit of his Accounts. — He embarks for the United States, and lands at JVew-York. — His distinguished Reception by the Inhabitants of that City, — He is chosen Secretary of Foreign Affairs by Congress, and elected a Delegate from the State of JVew-York. — He negotiates with the Spanish Minister. — Hostili- A2

VI CONTENTS.

Page ties commenced hy Algiers, and Report of Mr. Jay on the subject. — He is assailed hy Littlepage, and vindicates himself triumphantly. — He is chosen President of the Abolition Society. — Failure of the JYegotiation with Spain, and Beport of Mr. Jay on the siibject. — His Report on the F7'ontier Posts, on the Slaves retained by Great Britain, and the collection of Debts by British subjects 74

CHAPTER VI.

Jay^s Opinions of the inefficiency of the Confederation. — Origin of the Federal Party, — He is elected a Member of the Episcopal Convention — Acts of that Convention. — Convention at Annapolis. — Jay^s Correspondence with Washington in relatio7i to a Federal Union. — Convention at Philadelphia, and adoption of the Federal Constitution. — Jay is associated with Hamilton and Madison in the publication of " The Federalist.'' — The Doctors' Mob in Mew- York. — State Convention in JVew-York. — The Federal Constitution goes into effect, and Jay is named Chief -justice of the Supreme Court. — He holds the first Court.-^ His Charge to the Grand Jury. — He is nominated as candidate for Governor of the

CONTENTS. Vll

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State of JVew-York, and his Election is defeated. — Public expressions of Dissatisfaction at that result. — Jay's Decision that a State might be sued. — Amendment of the Constitution in consequence. — Refections on that Decision 89

CHAPTER Vn.

Question of JYeutrality in the War between France and Englarid. — Washington's Proclamation. — Arrival of Genet. — Attempt at fitting out French Privateers. — Jay^s Charge to the Grand Jury at Richmond. — Aggressions of Great Britain. — Washington determines to send a special Minister to England, and selects Jay for the purpose, — Jay proceeds to London. — His JYegotiations with Lord Gi'enville. — He concludes a Treaty. — Loud Dissatisfaction expressed by the anti-Federal Party. — Treaty ratified by the President and Senate. — Its Provisions approved by the House of Representa^ tives. — Merits of Jay's Treaty, and com^ parison of it with that negotiated by Mr. Monroe 104

CHAPTER VIII.

Jay is elected Governor of Jfew-York during his Absence in Europe, — Appearance of

VIU CONTENTS.

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the Yellow Fever in the City ofJYew-York, — Jay recommends a Day of Thanksgiving on its disappearance. — Question in relation to the Appointing Power. — Change in Criminal Punishments. — Law enforcing the Observance of the Sabbath. — Jay is again elected Governor. — Unanimity of Parties on the subject of Defence. — Passage of the Abolition Law.—-Jay^s Firmness in the Execution of the Laws. — Legislature in opposition to the Governor. — The Question in relation to the Appointing Power renewed. — Jay adjourns the Council of Appointment. — Decision of this Question and its consequences. — Jay is ojfered a Reappointment as Chief-justice of the United States. — He declines to be a Candidate for re-election as Governor, and retires from Office 119

CHAPTER IX.

Jay^s mode of Life in his Retirement at Bedford. — Loss of his Wife. — His Independence of Character. — His Exertions in the cause of Abolition. — He is chosen an Officer of the Bible Society. — His Opinion on the Missouri Question. — He is struck by the Palsy. — His Death. — His Charade)' further developed 133 contents. ix

Life of Alexander Hamilton.

Page

Preface 147

CHAPTER I.

Birth and Parentage of Alexander Hamilton, — He enters a Counting-house in St. Croix, — He proceeds to JYew-York for his Education, and enters King's College. — His Distinction as a Student, and as a Writer of Political Papers. — He makes his appearance as a Speaker in Popular Assemblies, — His Success as an Orator. — He studies Military Tactics, and receives a Commission in the JVew-York Line. — His Services in the Campaign of 1776. — He accepts the appointment of Aid-de-camp to Washington 149

CHAPTER n.

Washington at his zenith of Popularity. — Character of the Relations between Hamilton and Washington. — Review of the Campaign of 1776. — Campaign of 1777. — Failure of its most Important Objects, — Causes of that Failure, and Reflections . 160

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTER III. Page

Influences which were brought to bear against Washington. — Lee looked up to as a Leader. — Gates brought forward in that Capacity. — Accession of Mifflin. — Jicts of Congress. ■—Their probable Motives. — State of the Public Mind. — Cessation of active Warfare in the JVorth. — Hamilton resigns his Station of Aid-de-camp. — Views of the British Government 172

Chapter IV

Consider atiom on the Origin of the Revolution. — Effects of the earlier Measures of Passive Resistance. — Emission of Bills of Credit by Cmigress. — Consequence of that Measure. — Decay of Public Credit. — State of Fijumcial Affairs. — Hamilton proposes a JVational Bank as a Remedy .... 182

Chapter V

Hamilton corresponds loith Duane. — Second Letter to Morris, and his Reply. — First proposition for a Convention to establish a Federative Republic. — Reflections on State and Federal Sovereignty. — He edits " the Continentalist.^^ — Obtains the command of a Corps of Light Infantry. — Serves at

CONTENTS. XI

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Yorktoum, and leads the Forlorm Hope. — Retires from active Service, and commences the study of Law. — His Marriage, — He is appointed by Morris receiver of Taxes for the State of JYew-York .... 193

CHAPTER VL

Hamilton takes his Seat in Congress. — Question in relation to Vermont. — Plan for a uniform System of Duties on Imports. — Opposition of Rhode Island. — Anonymous Letter published in that State. — Proceedings of Congress in relation thereto. — Virginia withdraws its Assent. — Report of the Committee of Finance. — Hamilton proposes a Substitute, which is rejected. — Report of the Committee of Finance, and Documents appended. — The JYewburgh Letters . . . 207

CHAPTER Vn.

Hamilton takes up his Residence in the City of Mew-York. — His Rivals and Associates at the Bar. — Popular Violence directed against the Tories. — Hamilton's publication on this Occasion. — He is chosen a Member of Assembly. — His Agency in the Pacification of Vermont. — Causes which led to the call of a Convention for amending the Confederacy. — Previous Convention

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at Annapolis. — Hamilton draws the Report

of that Convention 224

CHAPTER Vm.

Federal Convention meets at Philadelphia. — Resolutions offered by Edmund Randolph, — Resolutions of Judge Patterson. — Plan offered by Pinckney. — Hamilton's great Speech in the Convention, in which he offers a Draught of a Constitution. — Examination of its Features. — The Delegation from JYew-York retires from the Convention. — Hamilton alone returns and resumes his Seat. — Franklin's Speech. — Hamilton urges that all the Members should sign. — Hamilton's Speech on that Occasion, — Consideration of his Services in framing the Constitution 239

CHAPTER IX.

Discussions in respect to the Federal Constitution. — Hamilton unites with Jay and Madison in writing the Federalist. — Letters of Philo-Publius. — State Convention at Poughkeepsie. — Hamilton is a member of that Convention^ and takes an active 'part in its Proceedings. — The Federal Constitution ratified hy that Convention. — Refections on the Con-

CONTENTS. Xlll

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stitution. — Change of Popular Feeling, and Rejoicings in New-York on its final Adoption 259

CHAPTER X.

/ashington is chosen President. — Organization of the Executive Departments. — Hamilton is appointed Secretary of the Treasury. — His Report on Public Credit, in which he recommends the funding of the Debt and the laying of an Excise.

— Opposition to the Funding System, which is, however, carried. — The Excise is also opposed, but carried. — Plan of a National Bank, which receives a Cha?'- ter. — Constitutional Question raised in relation to it 273

CHAPTER XI.

Success of the Bank of the United States. — Hamilton's Report on Manufactures.

— His Report on a Mint. — Dissensions in the Cabinet. — Origin of the tivo great Parties. — Proclamation of Neutrality. — Mission of Genet, and his offensive Acts. — Proceedings of the Government in relation to them. — Letters of Pacificus . . 287

XIV CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Xn.

Paga

Armed resistance to the Excise Law. — Hamilton resigns the Office of Secretary of the Treasury^ and resumes the practice of Law. — His brilliant Success. — His Disinterestedness as a Politician. — Continued Aggressions of France, and her Refusal to grant Redress. — Excitement of Popular Feeling. — The Provisional Army is voted by Congress. — Hamilton is named Inspector-general. — His Services in that Capacity . . .301

CHAPTER XIII.

Causes of the decline of the Federal Party. — Origin of the enmity of Burr against Hamilton. — Settlement of the Differences ivith France. — The Provisional Army is disbanded, and Hamilton resumes the profession of Law. — He loses his eldest Son in a Duel. — Burr appears as a candidate for the office of Governor, and is prevented by Hamilton from receiving the support of the Federal Party 316

CONTENTS. XV

CHAPTER XIV.

Pago Burr demands an Explanation from Hamilton. — Correspondence between them. — A Duel is the result. — Examination of Hamilton's motives in consenting to it. — He is mortally wounded and dies. — His public Character and Views of Government 330

Preface

Having undertaken to furnish a sketch of the Life of Jay for the " School District Library," the assent of his son, the Hon. WilUam Jay, was asked and hberally granted. The large and interesting memoir which he has published of his father was then placed in the hands of one of my sons for the purpose of selecting the dates and facts necessary for the purpose. This task was executed by him in such a manner as to leave me little else to do but suppress some parts which would have swelled the sketch beyond the proposed limits. It is therefore given to the world under his name. i It will probably be seen, that, adopting on almost all occasions the views entertained by Judge William Jay of the character and merits of his father, there are slight differences in the colour given to public acts, and in estimates of men and measures, from those adopted by me in the biographical sketches of Clinton and Hamilton. It has not been thought necessary to reconcile these discrepances, particularly as they will afford the reader a better opportunity of forming his own opinion.

James Renwick.

Columbia College, 1st August, 1840.

LIFE

EDITED BY

JAMES R E N W I C K, L L. D.

JOHN JAY.

Chapter I

French origin of the Family of Jay. — Brief Memoir of his immediate Ancestors. — His Birth and early Education. — He enters Columbia College^ and graduates with Honour. — He studies Law, and is admitted to its Practice. — He is appointed Secretary to the Commission for running the Boundary between JVew-Jersey and JYew-York. — He marries.

To a youthful mind, the military deeds of the heroes of the Revolution generally present themselves in more striking lights and glowing colours than the less glaring, though equally useful and patriotic, actions of the statesmen and councillors of the same period. This predilection for those who were covered with military glory has, in our own time, not been confined to youth alone, and we have seen the successful general considered by a majority of the nation fit to perform the duties of any and every other office. Although such a predilection may naturally exist, yet we should not neglect the claims on our admiration and the grat- B itude due to those who, though they never perilled themselves on the field of battle, yet still were equally patriotic, equally forgetful of self-interest, and displayed as ^reat talent in the senate, the council chamber, and the closet.

John Jay, the subject of the present memoir, was one of the latter class ; and we find him, in various periods of his long and eventful life, fulfilling the duties and holding the stations of a wise councillor, a skilful statesman, an upright judge, and a framer of treaties and state papers, by which the successes of others in the field were secured and turned to advantage.

The account that we have of his ancestors extends as far back as the time of his great-grandfather, and is derived from a paper prepared by himself for the perusal of his children. Pierre or Peter Jay, the person referred to, was a native of France, and resided in the City of Rochelle. His business was that of a merchant, and, from collateral facts, we have reason to believe that he was both wealthy and enterprising. Like many of the most industrious and most respectable inhabitants of that part of the country, he was a Protestant, and doomed, as we shall see, to undergo much trouble and persecution on account of his religion. He seems to have had a sort of presentiment, probably derived from the growing disfavour of the Protestants in the sight of the government.

that it would at some time or other be necessary for him to sacrifice both country and property on account of his rehgion. On this account he determined to send one of his sons to England, to acquire a knowledge of that language, and be educated there. His eldest son was the one chosen for this purpose, but he unfortunately died on the voyage. With great promptness, the father sent his second son, Augustus, who was then barely 12 years old, to take his place. This happened A.D. 1677. The troubles and persecutions which Mr. Jay seemed to have foreseen, and which preceded the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, now commenced, and in January, 1685, the Protestant church at Rochelle was pulled down, pursuant to a decree passed at that time. Finding that the Protestants still continued the exercise of their religion, and were not to be forced to change it by any ordinary means, a regiment of dragoons was despatched to that portion of the country, and quartered upon the Protestant inhabitants. We have full evidence that these armed missionaries had free license to make their hosts as uncomfortable as possible, and were encouraged to practise upon them those insults so easily perpetrated by an unrestrained and licentious soldiery.

We can easily imagine to ourselves what must have been the situation of a pious fanuly, and what the feelings of a husband and a father, under such circumstances. Mr. Jay's were such that he determined that those nearest and dearest to him should no longer be exposed to such insult and contamination ; and, finding an opportunity that was at once safe and secret, he sent his family, together with several articles of value, on board a vessel bound for England. This vessel luckily arrived in safety ; and now the mind of Mr. Jay must have been comparatively at ease, for those who were most exposed and least fit to defend themselves were rescued from persecution. The departure of his family did not long remain undiscovered ; and suspicions arising from it of his own intentions, he was arrested and thrown into prison. From thence, by the intervention of some worthy Catholics, his friends, he was rescued ; and now, perceiving that France was no longer a residence for him, he only awaited an opportunity to leave it for ever. Before this intention could be put in practice, it was necessary to secure some support for himself and family in a strange land ; this he could not procure by turning any of his French property into money, because his motives would easily have been seen, and a second arrest have followed. At this time several of his ships were expected to arrive, loaded with merchandise belonging to him, and one of them was to be the means of his escape. In order to effect this, an agreement was entered into with one of the pilots of the poit, in conformity with which the first of his ships that arrived was to anchor at some distance, and not come up to the town. The first of his vessels that made its appearance was one from a Spanish port, loaded chiefly with iron ; and fortunately, both for his honour and his future means of living, both ship and cargo belonged entirely to himself. The pilot, faithful to his promise, anchored the vessel in the place determined on. With his assistance, Mr. Jay was enabled to embark, and sail was immediately made for England. He arrived in safety, and happy must have been the meeting between him and his family. They were now out of danger, free from persecution, and in the enjoyment of their own chosen religion ; and although their means were not so great as formerly, yet they still had a sufficiency.

On his escape from France being made pubUc, all his property was confiscated, and never was returned so as to be of any use either to him or to his children. But one thing was wanting to their complete happiness ; this w^as their uncertainty as to what would be the fate of their second, now their oldest, son, who was at that time probably in Africa, on commercial business of his father's. This son, Augustus, the grandfather of John Jay, returned (not knowing his parents' escape) to Rochelle. Thence, facilitated by the kindness of his friends, he managed to procure a passage to B2

Charleston, S. C. ; for he also, like his parents, was resolute in sacrificing everything for his religion. From Charleston, driven by a cUmate unhealthy even to natives, and doubly so to foreigners, he travelled to Philadelphia ; but finding in that city, then in an infant state, no field for the exercise of commerce, to which business he had been brought up, he thence made his way to New- York. Here he not only found occupation, but friends, driven, like himself, by persecution, to carry the arts and industry of France to other shores. Here also he found churches built and attended by French refugees, and a service performed in his own language. Finding that his success in life must wholly depend upon his own exertions, he applied himself with diligence and skill to business, and followed for many years the calling of a supercargo. During this time he both heard from his parents and made them acquainted with his welfare.

Leaving his fortunes for a while, we turn to those of his younger brother, Isaac. At this time the war between William of Orange and James II. of England was in progress, and a regiment of French refugees was formed by the former to assist in driving from Ireland his Catholic competitor for the throne. Into this regiment Isaac entered, impelled by the ardour of youth, and, no doubt, not a little by the lecoUection of the many insults and injuries he and his family had received at the hands of those who professed the Romish religion. He sealed his conviction of the justice of his own cause with his blood, and died not long after the battle of the Boyne, from the effects of wounds received in that engagement.

In the year 1692, Augustus, while pursuing his commercial avocations, started on a voyage from New-York to Hamburg ; on the passage the vessel was captured by a French privateer, and carried into St. Maloes. He, w^ith other prisoners, was confined, not very closely, as it appears by subsequent events, in a fortress about 15 miles from that place. While there, news arrived of the battle of La Hogue, and the prisoners were ordered into closer confinement. They in some way received news of this order, and determined, before it was put in force, to effect their escape. Accordingly, on the evening that was to precede their imprisonment, Augustus and some of his companions succeeded in scaling the wall and dropping into the ditch. Whether they were stunned by the fall or were recaptured, he had no means of ascertaining. He himself, however, got out of the ditch, took the road to, and arrived safely at, Rochelle. Here he was secreted and protected by his aunt, until she found means to send him to the Isle Aux Rhe, whence he got passage to Denmark. On his way home he passed through Holland, performed his business there, and then crossed over to England, where he saw his father and sister for the first time since their separation so many years before. There was one drawback to their joy, one cause of grief; the mother, who had gone through so many trials with them, was no more. The calls of business soon separated this happy party, and Augustus took a last farewell, and returned to his business in America.

A few years after his return he married. His wife was Anna Maria, daughter of Mr. Balthazar Bayard ; and she too, like himself, was descended from a family that had suffered from religious persecution. Her great-grandfather was a Frenchman, a Protestant professor of theology in one of the colleges at Paris, who was forced either to give up his religion or leave his country during the reign of Louis XIII. He chose the latter alternative, and fled to Holland, whence his grandson emigrated to this country.

By this marriage, Augustus Jay found himself surrounded by a numerous and influential Dutch connexion. In the colony of New-York, the descendants of the Dutch were the most numerous class of the population, and they were remarkable for the liberal manner in which they befriended and assisted their countrymen, or those connected with them. Soon after his marriage, finding himself in comfortable and respectable circumstances, Mr. Jay sent out for his father and sister ; but the father felt that his declining years would not permit such a voyage, and the sister would on no account leave him. Augustus Jay went on for many years increasing his wealth and influence ; and, after having had three children, all of whom were daughters, he was at last made happy by the birth of a son in the year 1704. This son, the father of John Jay, he named Peter. No other children were born, and Peter therefore, at his father's death, which did not take place until he had reached the age of 84, found himself sole bearer of the name of Jay.

Peter Jay, like his father and grandfather, was a merchant, and followed his business with such success, that, at the age of forty, he was able to retire, and live on the proceeds of his former industry. At the age of 24 he had married Mary Van Cortlandt, and she, with their ten children, now accompanied him to Rye, a small village on Long Island Sound, where he had purchased a farm. Their eighth child, John Jay, was born on the 12th of December, 1745, and even in his childhood displayed some inklings of the spirit which was to animate him in after years. His early education was principally derived from his mother, who was a woman both of talents and information. She also instilled into his mind those Chiistian princi-

^2 AMERICAN B OGRAPHY.

ciples which we shall find exhibiting themselves in his future career. At the age of eight he was sent to a grammar school at New-Rochelle. His instructer there was the Rev. Mr. Stoope, a native of Switzerland, and pastor of the French church. To great learning and fondness for mathematical pursuits he united absence of mind ; and his pupil suffered from the latter almost as much as he gained from the former. To his wife, who was as miserly as he was careless, the care of his household was committed, and several anecdotes are recorded of the sufferings of young Jay, both as to food and treatment.

John Jay remained under the tuition of Stoope for three years, and was then placed by his father under the care of a private tutor, who prepared him for a college. The one selected was King's, now Columbia College, an institution which boasts of many celebrated men among its alumni. He now seems to have commenced with energy and perseverance to conquer some defects and acquire many excellences; among the former were an indistinctness of articulation, and a habit of reading aloud with such speed that it was impossible for him to be understood ; both these faults he overcame. He applied himself to all his. studies with diligence, and in composition was so anxious not to lose any ideas, that even when in bed he kept paper and pencil beside him, in order to secure any new thought that might strike him when he awoke. In fine, he obtained both praise and esteem from all his teachers by his application and his correct deportment. In his fourth collegiate year he decided upon the law as his future profession, and commenced his studies by reading with a fellowstudent " Grotius de Jure Belli et Pacis." Before taking his degree, he was, on account of conduct to which no moral blame could have been imputed, for a time suspended. He soon returned, and was first in his class when the term of their collegiate education expired. At the Commencement he spoke the Latin salutatory address, then, as now, considered the highest honour, and received his degree of Bachelor of Arts on the 15th of May, 1764.

Two weeks afterward he began his professional studies in the office of Benjamin Kissam, a lawyer of some repute in the City of New-York. The respect and esteem between master and pupil soon became mutual, and some pleasing letters are still preserved, which show the good understanding that existed between them. In 1768 Mr. Jay was examined and admitted to practice, and soon, by his talents and industry, was possessed of a lucrative business. His intense application and confinement produced ill. health; as a remedy, he took lodgings six miles from town, and rode in and out on horseback daily.

Commissioners were at this time appointed by the king to determine a disputed boundary-line between the provinces of New-York and New- Jersey. Mr. Jay was named secretary of that commission, and thus commenced his pubhc career as a servant of that king to whom he was afterward so long and so successfully opposed.

In the year 1774, Jay, being then twenty-nine years of age, was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Livingston. William Livingston, the father of this lady, had distinguished himself as an ardent and active patriot, and, from the lead he took among the Whigs of New-Jersey, became the first governor of that state after the declaration of independence. Jay, by the father's side descended froai the French Huguenots, by his mother's from a family of the first note among the Batavian settlers of the New-Netherlands, was by this marriage allied to the most influential persons of British origin among the inhabitants of the State of New-York. He was thus saved from all risk of becoming obnoxious to the petty jealousies which difference of race and origin often give rise to. The circumstances of birth and connexion with the three prevailing races, especially with the most noted and respectable in all, could, at a time when equalit}' had hardly become a theory, and was still farther from being practically acted upon, have had no little influence in bringing him early before the pubhc eye. Jay was not one of those who disappoint the expectations derived from their nativity and alHances, but fully warranted by his valuable services the honours which were showered upon him at a very early period of his life.