Laura Sheldon, age 10, of Portland, Ore., for her question:
WHO WAS ALEXANDER HAMILTON?
Alexander Hamilton became the first United States secretary of the Ttreasury. He took office in President George Washington's first Cabinet. Hamilton was a controversial figure in his own time but today he ranks high among American statesmen for his great contributions. He gave needed strength to the new government by firmly establishing the credit of the nation.
Hamilton persuaded the Congress to pay at full face value all public debts incurred during the Revolutionary War, including those by Congress and by individual states. Taxes or duties on goods brought into the United States provided money to pay the debts and run the government.
Hamilton's taxes included a tax on whiskey made in the United States. Many farmers disliked the tax and this led to the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. Hamilton accompanied the federal troops which put down the rebellion.
Hamilton also proposed a mint and a bank supported by the government. He expected them to help the government's operations and American business. Thomas Jefferson, then secretary of state, believed the hank Hamilton proposed was unconstitutional.
Jefferson pointed out that the United States Constitution did not give Congress the power to charter a bank. Hamilton defended the constitutionality of a bank by using the "doctrine of implied powers."
The Supreme Court of the United States adopted Hamilton's policy. Two early political parties, the Federalist Party and the Democratic Republican Party, grew out of this dispute.
Hamilton served as secretary of the Treasury from 1789 until January, 1795, but his strong influence in government continued long after his retirement.
In 1804, Hamilton became involved in a political dispute with Aaron Burr, then vice president. Burr challenged him to a duel and they fought on July 11. Hamilton was wounded and died the following day.
During the Revolutionary War, Hamilton became secretary to General George Washington and held the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After the war, Hamilton was admitted to law practice after only three months of hard study. In 1782 and 1783, he represented New York in Congress.
Hamilton knew well the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation. He was a delegate to the Annapolis Convention, which met in September, 1786, to discuss changes in the Articles of Confederation.
Hamilton drew up a proposal in Annapolis calling for a convention of the states to increase the central government's powers. In the resulting Constitutional Convention of 1787. Hamilton became a vigorous spokesman for a strong national government.
His papers supporting a strong national government were published in "The Federalist."
His speeches in the New York convention were strong influences in getting the Constitution adopted.