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operations of that branch of the public service, during the past year. When communicating this Report to the President, Hamilton took this occasion to state a guiding principle in the conduct of the Chief Magistrate. "From the circumstances of the case," he observed, “and a general impression, that it is always best for the Chief Magistrate to be as little implicated as possible in the specific approbation of a particular measure, proceeding from a particular officer; I believe it may be advisable to answer, generally, that the President sees with pleasure the improvements made in the contracts for conveying the mail. That he doubts not, a judicious discretion has been exercised in relation to the several parts of them; that (especially where circumstances vary) there does not appear to be a strict obligation to prefer the lowest offer; and that, in the case of the greater frequency of the transmission of the mail, the concentration of the business under one direction, and the experience. of past good conduct, are weighty reasons for the preference of his offer meditated by the Postmaster General."

A few days after Hamilton had transmitted to the President his opinion as to the anticipated application of Lord Dorchester; he wrote him, in order to dispel all uneasiness in his mind, giving him intelligence of the probability of a reconciliation between Spain and Great Britain.

The answer of Washington has been quoted. In a subsequent letter, the President observed, "We are approaching the first Monday in December, by hasty strides. I pray you, therefore, to revolve in your mind, not only such matters (if there be any) as may be proper for me to lay before Congress in your own department; but such others of a general nature, as may happen to occur to you; that I may be prepared to open the Session

with such communications as shall appear to merit attention." Hamilton replied, giving intelligence from England, recently received, of a warlike aspect; and enclosing the copy of a decree of the National Assembly of France, having in view a treaty with Spain; directing an augmentation of her squadrons, and indicating an intention eventually to support Spain in the expected controversy. He added-" The object suggested in your letter, as preparatory to the meeting of the Legislature, shall engage my particular attention. The papers of the State, and Treasury, and of the Commissioners for settling the accounts, are on their way to Philadelphia. On the twentieth (of October) I propose, with my family, to set out for the same place."

CHAPTER LXIII.

TEN years had now elapsed, since Hamilton, at the gloomiest moment of the Revolution, with all the dangers of the country before him, addressed his celebrated letter to Duane, giving the outlines of a General Government, and indicating the means, by which the people of these United States might become, in effect, one nation.

Not more than ten years had gone by, since, dismayed by the successes of the enemy, a proposition was offered in the Congress of the Confederation-to conclude a treaty with Great Britain, which would have dismembered this empire; and have surrendered at discretion the States of South Carolina and Georgia.

At the close of that cycle, how different the scene! Peace conquered--Independence acknowledged. A domestic insurrection suppressed. The wild licentiousness of a jarring and unequal league at an end-and the extraor dinary spectacle exhibited, full of hope to the world, of a deliberately formed Free Government-founded upon the sacrifice of mutual jealousies, and the concession of mutual interests-sanctioned by the deliberate voice of a people of various origin, widely dispersed, and having little in common with each other but the same language, and the recollection of their common sufferings and common efforts.

It is among the interesting incidents of this period, that,

chiefly through the exertions of the man who had so large a share with others in effecting these great results, that government was now successfully commenced; and, among its first acts, had redeemed the pledges to the Public Faith.

With feelings inspired by a consideration of these auspicious circumstances, Hamilton drew an outline of the speech to be delivered to Congress, at the opening of its third session.*

"In meeting you again," the President observed, “I feel much satisfaction in being able to repeat my congratulations on the favorable prospects which continue to distinguish our public affairs. The abundant fruits of another year have blessed our country with plenty, and with the means of a flourishing commerce. The progress of public credit is witnessed by a considerable rise of American Stocks abroad, as well as at home; and the revenues allotted for this and other national purposes have been productive beyond the calculations by which they were regulated. This latter circumstance is the more pleasing, as it is not only a proof of the fertility of our resources, but as it assures us of a further increase of the national respectability and credit; and let me add, as it bears an honorable testimony to the patriotism and integrity of the mercantile and marine part of our citizens. The punctuality of the former in discharging their engagements has been exemplary."

After mentioning the completion of a loan, provisionally made, in conformity to the powers vested in him, as to which he said, "the celerity with which it had been filled, and the nature of the terms, gave a reasonable hope that the further execution of those powers may proceed with advantage and success," he stated the application of

*Heads of Topics. Hamilton's Works, iv. 83.

Kentucky to become a member of the Union.

The mea

sures taken to reduce a party of Indian banditti on the borders of the Ohio are next referred to; and the attention of Congress is directed in these terms to that great object, the PROTECTION OF THE INDUSTRY OF THE COUNTRY: "The disturbed situation of Europe, and particularly the critical posture of the great maritime powers, whilst it ought to make us the more thankful for the general peace and security enjoyed by the United States, reminds us, at the same time, of the circumspection with which it becomes us to preserve these blessings. It requires, also, that we should not overlook the tendency of a war, and even of preparations for a war, among the nations most concerned in active commerce with this country, to abridge the means, and thereby at least enhance the price of transporting its valuable productions to their proper markets. I recommend it to your serious reflections, how far, and in what mode, it may be expedient to guard against embarrassments from these contingencies, by such encouragements to our own navigation, as will render our commerce and agriculture less dependent on Foreign bottoms; which may fail us in the very moments most interesting to both of these great objects."

The relief and protection of the Mediterranean trade are advised; and Congress are called upon " to consider in their wisdom, whether improvements in the Judiciary system may yet be made." A regulation of the consulates is suggested, and the establishment of a Militia, of a Mint, of Standards of Weights and Measures; and of the Post Office and post routes, are again recommended.

After alluding to the sufficiency of the revenues, as leaving no doubt that the residuary provisions will be commensurate to the other objects for which the public faith is pledged, it is observed, "allow me, moreover, to

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