The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-08-02

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that carried by assault one of the enemy's
outworks, Oct. IA, 1871. In this affair
, he displayed the most brilliant valor. AT
ter the war, colonel Hamilton. then about
"a, commenced the study Of the law, as
he had at that time a wife and family de-
, pending upon him for support. He was
soon admitted to the bar. In 1882, he
was chosen member of Congress from
the State Of New York, where he quick
~ acquired the greatest influence and dis
=. tincion, and was always a member and
sometimes chairman of those committees
/ to which were conlided such subjects as
were deemed of vital interest to the ma
) ton. The reports which he prepared
are remarkable for the correctness and
power which characterize every effort of
! his pen. At the end OF the session, he
returned to the practice of his profession
in the city Of New York, and became en-
inent at the bar In 1886, he was cho-
sen member Of the legislature of his
State, and was mainly instrumental in
preventing serious collision between
!, Vermont and New York in consequence
: of dispute concerning territorial juris"
diction. lie was elected delegate Of
New York to the convention which was
to form a constitution for the United
States. AS the doors Of the convention
were closed during its sittlngs, and lis re-
cords have never been given to the world,
it is not possible to state the precise part
which he acted in that body. Ii is well
ascertaned, however, that the country is.
at least. as much indebted to him for the
eXcellencies of the constitution, as to any
other member Of the iluslrous assembly.
Hamilton and Madison were the chief or
ac'es and artlicers. After the adoption
of the constitution by the convention, he
associated himself with Mr.. Madison and
Mr.. Jay, for the purpose Of disposing the
public TO receive it with favor. The es-
says which they wrote with that design,
addressed to the people of New York.
during the years 1857 and 1888, are well
~,
and contributed powerfully to produce the
effect for which they were composed.-
The larger portion Of them was written
bv Hamilton. In 1888. he was n mem.
Der of The state convention in New York :,
wt,iirh mel n Deliberate m the odon,ion
Of the federal constitution and il was
chiefly in consequence Of his efforts that
il was accented On the organiza,ion Of
+ the federal government in 1850. he was
annoip,ed ,o the office If secretary or the
treasury. This was = situation which
REQUIRED the exercise Of all the Urea, now
ers of his mind &. for the nubIic credit.
was ot ,h,, fine in the lnves, state nj
dpnression and os M statistical account
of The coun,rv had ever bcen attemnted
lis fiscal resources were wholly unknown.
BIT before Hamilton retired from the
post. which he did after filling it during
somewha, more than five wears. he had
+ raised the nubic credi, ,o a heioht alto.
5 gelher unpreccden,ed in the history OF
the country. and. nv the admirable svs.
, TEN of finance which he established had
r ACQUIRED the rcpu,o,ion Of one or the
greatest, fnanciers Of the are. His Off.
= cial rcports to CONGRESS are considered rs
|; m3s,ernieces. and the princinIcs u bich be
A; advocated in them sill continue 10 excr.
f, else grca, influence in the revenue de.
f par,men, of the American government.
, In June. the wear 1904. he received q
49,,