Alexander Hamilton

The founder of the North

American Bank.

Background

• Alexander Hamilton was born January 11, 1755.

• He was born on the island of Nevis.• He arrived in the Colonies in 1775.

Background cont.

• In 1772, Alexander Hamilton went to Elizabethtown Academy, in Elizabethtown, New Jersey.

• Alexander Hamilton applied to the University of New Jersey (Princeton University) and the University of New York City (Columbia University).

• He was accepted at Columbia University, and he went to school from late 1773- early 1774.

Early Military Experience

• Joined the New York Militia. • He studied military history and achieved the

rank of Lieutenant.• He lead a successful raid of the British in

Battery Park, on the HMS Asia.• He fought in the Battle of White Plains and at

the Battle of Trenton.

HMS Asia

Battery Park, New York, New York

Congress• He was a New York representative for

the Congress of Confederation.• Hamilton supported many people that

include Robert Morris, Gouvernor Morris, James Wilson, and James Madison.

• In February 1781, Thomas Burke proposed an idea of a collection 5% impost on all imports.

• All states approved this except Rhode Island. Madison and Hamilton were sent to change the mind of the citizens.

Back to New York

• Hamilton resigned from congress in 1783. He returned to New York where he practiced law.

• He specialized in Tories and British subjects.

Constitution• In 1787, Hamilton served as an assemblyman for

the county of New York (aka Manhattan).• Hamilton called for a new Constitution Convention.• Both the representatives from New York both

opposed Hamilton’s ideas.

Secretary of the Treasury

• President George Washington appointed him Secretary of the Treasury.

• He was the first Secretary of the Treasury.

Accomplishments• First Report on the Public Credit: Communicated to the

House of Representatives, January 14, 1790.• Operations of the Act Laying Duties on Imports:

Communicated to the House of Representatives, April 23, 1790.

• Second Report on Public Credit: Report on a National Bank. Communicated to the House of Representatives, December 14, 1790.

• Report on the Establishment of a Mint: Communicated to the House of Representatives, January 28, 1791.

• Report on Manufactures: Communicated to the House of Representatives, December 5, 1791

Quasi-War• Hamilton was appointed Major General;

reluctantly by Adams.• Hamilton argued that if a war broke out, they

would conquer the Spanish colonies in North America.

Burr-Hamilton Duel

• After the 1804 elections Aaron Burr challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel.

• In the 1804 election Alexander Hamilton beat Aaron Burr.

Burr- Hamilton Duel cont.

• At dawn, Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton.• Then, Hamilton shot a tree branch above

Aaron Burr’s head. • On further examination, the bullet hit

Hamilton on his ricocheted off his third false rib and became lodged in his lumbar vertebra.

• The rib fractured and damaged his liver and diaphragm.