e of General Schuyler and,
although but nineteen years of age, he was well qualified for the
position, having made a study of artillery tactics. His ability had not
escaped the attention of the army, and he was placed upon Washington's
staff with rank of lieutenant-colonel. Washington needed some one to
take charge of his great correspondence,--some one who could think for
himself. Young as Hamilton was he assumed the entire responsibility of
chief secretary, besides rendering much valuable assistance as aid. He
married one of General Schuyler's daughters, and this alliance with one
of the wealthiest families in the State proved a most fortunate epoch in
his life. A difference arising between Washington and himself he
resigned and, although Washington sent an apology, he refused to recall
his resignation however their mutual esteem was continued. He
subsequently commanded a brigade at the battle of Yorktown.

He now took up his residence at Albany and began the study of law with
his wife's father. He was soon licensed to practice, and was chosen one
of the delegates to the Continental Congress. He realized the necessity
of vesting more power in congress and secured the adoption, by the State
of New York, of a resolution urging the amendment of the constitution
with that object in view. He now moved to New York where he soon
acquired an immense practice. His efforts in behalf of the constitution
were untiring and useful.

When Washington became president he selected Hamilton as his Secretary
of Treasury. It was a wise choice as financial difficulties were the
most formidable of any in the way of the administration, and no man was
more capable of bringing order out of chaos than Alexander Hamilton. All
parties agreed that the debts incurred abroad must be met according to
contract, but as a large amount of the domestic debt was in the hands of
men who had bought it for a rise it had been suggested that these
obligations be settled upon the basis of the amount paid for them by
their present holders. This measure Hamilton opposed. While
acknowledging that speculation was an evil, still he saw that such a
measure would tend to weaken our financial credit. He also brought
about the assumption by the government of the entire State debt incurred
during the war. This measure was strongly opposed by Jefferson, and its
passage had a marked effect on our system tending to centralize
authority.

It will thus be seen that to Alexa