The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-15

We are reminded in the first chapter
that when Washington was forming his
Cabinet in 1850 he turned for Secretary Of
State to jefferson, who was Their acting as
Minister of the old Government (created
Our author cheerfully comedies that. next
to Franklin, who was now weak with age,
and John Adams, who was Vice President,
jefferson had been the American most
successful in dealing with foreign courts.
He possessed mental aouteness, social
capacity and cosmopolitan tastes-all quail
hcations proper for one who must deal
with the representatives Of foreign nations
in America. His service in Paris, also,
had acquainted him with the habits of
diplomacy, and this could not fail to be
servioeable in forming the practices Of the
new department. He was in good repute
in France, and this was important, for it
still seemed to most Americans that the
young Republic must for some time keep
close under the strong wing which had
in the recent crisis 80 we'll protected It,. "
Az we have said, Prof. Bassett is no lese
appreciative Of Hamilton, whom Washing
ton chose for his first Secretary Of the
Treasury. ~The selection had the ap-
proval OF all the supporters Of the Union.
At that time he [Hamiltonl had not de-
veloped those principles Of government
which later made him a signal Of party
d~issension. To Washington, who had
known him we'll in the Revolutionary army,
he recommended himself by his strong
mind, practical energy, fascinating per-
sonality and frank and forceful patriotism.
He was known TO be an adept in the science
Of finance, ae then understood, and the
chaotic condition In which this branch
of the public business had been left by the
impotent Confederation demanded a mas
ter hand to restore 1t to order"
Our author recalls that although the rela-
tons between Hamilton and Jefferson soon
became strained, as was inevitable owing
to their different conceptions Of the kind Of
government required, Washington main.
tanned an impartial attitude toward them
for about four years. In the summer Of
1892 jefferson had offered to resign, and
Hamilton suggested that both should qui,
the Cabinet. It was harmony. however
and not a rupture, that Washington wanted
in his Administration and the proffered
designations were not accepted. During
the following autumn and winter there wa
no open conflict between the two Score.
taries, but the spring of 1893 brought up
tins question OF the oountry's neutrality
in the war between England and France
q question which made it impossible fol
things to go on in the old way. The conflict
was precipitated and envenomed by the
attempt Of the French envoy, Genet. tc
drive the United States into active coopera-
ton with France. Prof. Bassett notes thai
washington's attitude in the Genet affair
was moderate. For awhile he did not take
eides. He had been. up to this time, sin.
oereiS In favor Of preserving friendship
With France. He was far more of a neutral
than either jefferson or Hamilton. The
Genet incident, ae-eve-, weakened his
eympathy for the Republican party, and
caused hint feel a proportional inclination
toward the Federalists. From that time
until the cloae Of his Presidency he became
moro and more alienated from jefferson anC
Madison, and the influence Of Hamilton In
political affairs became more marked
Even after Hamilton had retired from the
Cabinet his former chief wrote Frequently
TO him TO ask for advice on points ranging
] In importance from the manner In which
hs should receive Adst. . French envoy
&