FACTS ABOUT ALEXANDER HAMILTON BORN ON NEVIS, JANUARY 11, Equals. A Legacy Worthy of the Title of National Hero

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1 FACTS ABOUT ALEXANDER HAMILTON BORN ON NEVIS, JANUARY 11, 1757 AH American History Equals AH Alexander Hamilton A Legacy Worthy of the Title of National Hero Alexander Hamilton and President George Washington had a relationship spanning over 22 years. Alexander Hamilton was President George Washington s most trusted aide. Alexander Hamilton convinced George Washington to run for President. Alexander Hamilton advised President George Washington on constitutional issues, which is normally the job of the Attorney General. Alexander Hamilton advised President George Washington on military issues, which is usually the job of the Secretary of War. Alexander Hamilton was appointed Secretary of the Treasury, the most important position of the President s Secretaries. President George Washington relied on Alexander Hamilton for everything. They were closer to been equals, though no one could be Washington s equal as he was the President. The two families were inseparable. They lived closely together and their children played together and grew up together. Alexander Hamilton was Washington s Indispensable Partner. Alexander Hamilton was America s Indispensable Founder. 1 P a g e

2 Alexander Hamilton is known as The Father of the Federalist Papers. Alexander Hamilton led the implementation of the United States Constitution. Alexander Hamilton created the American economic system. Alexander Hamilton created the American dream where anyone with hard work and education could aspire to the highest levels of accomplishment. Alexander Hamilton created the American Stock Exchange. Alexander Hamilton created the American Investment System. Alexander Hamilton created the Merit Approach. Alexander Hamilton transformed America into the powerful country it is today. Alexander Hamilton began the United States Navy. Alexander Hamilton founded the United States Coast Guard. Alexander Hamilton wrote the Jay Treaty which got the United States back its favoured position in trading with the United Kingdom. Alexander Hamilton was a Founder and Trustee of Hamilton College. Alexander Hamilton formally proposed West Point, the home of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He purchased the land in 1790 for the training officers. It was Alexander Hamilton who had the vision of America. President George Washington s success depended on Alexander Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton was leader of the military forces that took an entrenched fortification from the British that led to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia and was the last major battle of the War of American Revolution. Alexander 2 P a g e

3 Hamilton got credit for being the hero of the battle, which was led by a West Indian on land and the French Navy at sea. Alexander Hamilton started the first political party, the Federalists. Alexander Hamilton is on the US$10 bill He is a 10! Alexander Hamilton drafted the foundational principles that America lives by today. Alexander Hamilton s policies are what united the United States of America. Alexander Hamilton was the number one creator of the vision of the United States. Alexander Hamilton was the number one creator of the Economic Vision of the United States. African Free School in NYC Alexander Hamilton was a founding member of this school that provided an education to slaves. [ Alexander Hamilton was the number one creator of the foundational principles that created the America we know today. Alexander Hamilton did a lot of pro bono work as a lawyer to help free blacks and help the freed slaves. Why do we not hear Alexander Hamilton s history being told? Thomas Jefferson s Vice President, Aaron Burr, killed Alexander Hamilton while he was holding the office of Vice President. Alexander Hamilton and President George Washington never got to write their books. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and John Adams all lived decades longer and they influenced the historical records. Alexander Hamilton s wife, Elizabeth Schuyler, worked hard to save his letters, papers and journals. Who vigorously opposed Alexander Hamilton s design of government and the financial systems? Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State James Madison, key leader in the Congress 3 P a g e

4 How did Alexander Hamilton s younger days influence his legacy in policy making? Alexander Hamilton grew up just a stones throw away from the Charlestown Slave Market so he had to have seen the treatment the slaves received as they were taken from the boats and sold in the market. Hamilton worked hard in his adult life to abolish slavery in the United States. He felt that if given same opportunities as their owners, slaves were just as capable. He felt black people were equal. He never subscribed to inequality. He was the one who first said blacks were just as capable as whites in the army. He focused on merit. And is the one to interject into the American Constitution his belief that all men were created equal. Hamilton was not allowed to attend the church-run school system because of his illegitimacy. He was educated in the Jewish school in Charlestown and his son, John Church Hamilton, notes in his writings that his father spoke about standing on a chair to recite the Decalogue, a set of biblical principles relating ethics and worship, to his Jewish teacher. Nevis held a position of prominence during the time that Hamilton was growing up. By 1666, Nevis had become the administrative centre of the Leeward Islands. It grew in both size and importance, and took on the title Queen of the Caribbees. For the next century, Nevis would dominate the Caribbean region economically. The sugar industry burgeoned and Nevis production far exceeded the other Leeward Islands. Hamilton s experience with this economic vibrancy must have impacted his belief system, because he believed that manufacturing was a critical component of the economy, in that it gave more opportunities than exclusively agriculture for progress of more people. Manufacturing also made the United States more independent since they could produce the goods instead of relying on foreign nations. Nevisians continue to express unhappiness that Alexander never returned to Nevis to lend support to his land of birth, however, we must remember that his life was cut short by the duel with Aaron Burr, and just like today where many Nevisians and Kittitians leave home for the developed countries then return home at retirement age, so too Hamilton, had he lived longer, he might have returned to contribute to Nevis in his later years. 4 P a g e

5 Recommended Books Richard Brookhiser Great first biography to read on Alexander Hamilton (220 pages). Ron Chernow More comprehensive biography of Alexander Hamilton with a strong index (850 pages). Stephen F. Knott - Alexander Hamilton and the Persistence of Myth. How History Twisted Alexander Hamilton s Legacy Alexander Hamilton 1st United States Secretary of the Treasury In office September 11, 1789 January 31, 1795 President George Washington Preceded by Position established 5 P a g e

6 Succeeded by Oliver Wolcott Senior Officer of the Army In office December 14, 1799 June 15, 1800 President John Adams Preceded by George Washington Succeeded by James Wilkinson Delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from New York In office November 3, 1788 March 2, 1789 Preceded by Egbert Benson Succeeded by Seat abolished In office November 4, 1782 June 21, 1783 Preceded by Seat established Succeeded by Seat abolished Personal details Born January 11, 1755 or 1757 Charlestown, Nevis, British West Indies 6 P a g e

7 Died July 12, 1804 (aged 49 or 47) New York City, New York, U.S. Political party Federalist Spouse(s) Elizabeth Schuyler Children Philip Angelica Alexander James Alexander John Church William Stephen Eliza Holly Phil Alma mater Columbia University Religion Episcopalian Signature Military service Allegiance New York ( ) United States ( ) Service/branch New York Company of Artillery Continental Army United States Army Years of service (Militia) Rank Major General U.S. Army Senior Officer 7 P a g e

8 Battles/wars American Revolutionary War Battle of Harlem Heights Battle of White Plains Battle of Trenton Battle of Princeton Battle of Monmouth Siege of Yorktown Quasi-War 8 P a g e