CHAPTER XI.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON,

THE MASTER OF POLITICAL SAGACITY.

PATRIOTS of exalted worth appeared in the Colonial period of our history, and signalized their respective merits in achieving enterprises of comprehensive and enduring utility. Their successors of Revolutionary renown were no less dignified in talent and untarnished in worth. Looking at the era of the formation and adoption of the Constitution of these United States, and the civil administration of Washington, next to the great President himself no name shines fairer than that of Alexander Hamilton. He was born January 11th, 1757, in the island of Nevis the most beautiful of the British West Indies. His father was a Scotchman, his mother a French lady, descended from that noble race, the Huguenots. This happy blending of contrasted elements in the original source of his blood and character, solidity and enthusiasm, sagacity to project theories and facility in their execution, will be exemplified in all his subsequent career. The father was a merchant, but his business was disastrous, and he died.

in penury at St. Vincents. The mother possessed