Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-13
ALEXANDER HAMILTON ON THE POWERS OF
THE GOVERNMENT.

1t has often been intimated by politicians NOT
familiar with the early history of the country that
Gen. ALEXANDER HAMILTON was an advocate of Q
strong Government, and favored the idea of Pre-.
sident for life This imputation is occasionally re.
peated with an air of confidence which gives it ere
dence with the multitude. But the charge was
controverted in positive manner more than fifty
years ago by the distinguished statesman himself.
A letter to TIMOTHY PICKERING, first published in
1872, is of sufficient interest to be reproduced at
this time:
New York, SEPTEMBER 16, 1903.
Ny DEAR SrR: will make apology for my delay
in answering your inquiry time since made, because
could offer which would satisfy myself. ! pray
you only to believe that it proceeded from any thing
ther than of respect or regard. shall now com
ply with your request
The highesttoned propositions which made in the
Convention for President Senate and Judges du-
ring good behavor House of Representatives for three
years. Though would have enlarged the legislative
power Of the General Government yet contem-
plated the abolition of the State Governments but
the contrary, they were in particulars constituent
parts of my plan.
This plan in my conception, conformabe with the
strict theory of Government purely republican; the
sental crtera of which are that the principal Of
the executive and legislative departments be elected by
the people, and hold the offices by responsible and tenn
porary or defeasible nature.
vote taken the proposition respecting the ex-
ecutive Five States were in favor of it. among these
Virginia. and though from the Of voting by de-
legations, individuals not distinguished, it
rally certain, from the known situation Of the Virginia
members, (sx in number two of them, Mason and Ran
doph protesting popular doctrines that Madison must
have concurred in the vote Of Virginia Thus if sinned
n<,,I1 -. nj.
may truly, then, say that never proposed either
President Senate for life and that neither recon-
mendd meditated the humiliation Of the State Gov
ernments.
And may add that, in course of the discussions in
the Convention neither the propositions thrown out for
debate those voted in the earlier stages Of de-
liberation considered as evidences Of defniye
opinion in the proposer voter 1t appeared to be in
some sort understood that with view to free investiga-
ton, experimental propositions might be made which
were to be received merely suggestions for consdera
ton Accordingly, it is fact that my final opinion was
against Erecutce during good BEHAVIOR on account Of
the increased danger to the public tranquility incident
to the election of magistrate of his degree Of perma
nency. In the plan of constitution which drew up
while the Convention sitting, and which commune
Gated to Mr. Madison about the close Of it. perhaps day
two after the office of President has no longer dura
ton than for three years
This plan was predcated upon these bases: L. That
the political principles of the people of this country would
endure nothing but Republican Government. g. That
in the actual situation of the country it itself right
and proper that the republican theory should have full
and fair trial g. That to such trial it essential
that the Government should be constructed give
it oil the energy and the stability reconcleabe with the
principles Of that theory. These the genuine
timents of my heart, and upon them then acted.
sincerely hope that it may not hereafter be discover
ed that through want Of sufficient attention to the last
idea the experiment Of Republican Government in
this country has not been complete, satisfactory
and as decisive could be wished.
Very truly, dear sir, your friend and servant,
!, ..u. A. HAMILTON.
TIMOTHY PICKERING Esq.