﻿ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 213 



gifts and endowments, for the special work of laying the foundation 

 of this great republic. There was Washington, and Hancock, and 

 Adams, (the father of John Quincy Adams,) and Otis, and Jay, and 

 Franklin, and Jefferson, and Madison, and Hamilton, the subject of 

 this sketch, who, though named last, was by no means least in the 

 host. While thinking of them, one cannot but think of that text of 

 Scripture, --"And there were giants in those days." 



Alexander Hamilton was born in the year 1757, on the llth of 

 January. His birth-place was the Island of Nevis, then, as now, in 

 the possession of England. You will find it among the West In- 

 dia Islands. He was a descendant of one of the great families of 

 the old realm of old England, though, in our estimation, this con- 

 fers no honor upon him, as greatness, we mean true greatness, is 

 not hereditary. His mother was of French descent. 



Alexander was the youngest son of the family. As his father was 

 unfortunate in business, Alexander was early thrown upon his own 

 resources for a support, and entered the counting house of a mer- 

 chant in St. Croix, and by his faithfulness and attention to busi- 

 ness, so secured the love and confidence of his employer as to be in- 

 trusted with the whole management of his affairs during his absence. 

 This was remarkable, as at this time he was but fourteen years of 

 age. But the drudgery of a counting room did not suit his taste ; 

 his temperament was too ardent to submit to such a tame mode of 

 life, and he earnestly desired an education, that he might become 

 more useful, and take his position among the eminent men of his 

 day. 



After studying some time in one of the high schools of the West 

 Indies, he concluded to come to New York. His arrival here was 

 at a most exciting and interesting period. The troubles with Eng- 

 land had just commenced, and he soon, arraying himself on the side 

 of the colonies, identified himself with all their interests. His first 

 appearance in public was in obedience to a call of the citizens of 

 New York to address them on the subject of the wrongs of the col- 

 onies. His appearance was that of a mere boy ; small in stature, 

 effeminate in appearance, he seemed like a child mingling in the. 

 councils of grave men ; his success was complete, and the truth of 

 the adage appeared never more clear, " The mind is the standard of 

 the man." 



