and engineers, a general system of land fortifications, establishment of arsenals and magazines, erection of founderies and manufactories for arms, of ports and maritime fortifications—­with many details with which I will not bore you.  I shall urge the necessity of strengthening the Federal government through the influence of officers deriving their appointment directly from Congress—­always, always, the necessity of strengthening the central government, of centralizing power, and of putting the States where they belong.  It is federation or anarchy.  Then—­moderate funds permanently pledged for the security of lenders.  I have preached that since I have dared to preach at all, and that is the only solution of our present distress, for we’ll never get another foreign loan—­”

“We’ve accepted your wisdom, but we can’t apply it,” interposed Morris.  “Our only hope lies in your national government—­but go on.”

“A moment,” said Madison.  “This, in regard to the peace establishment:  Do we apply a war congress to a state of peace, I fear we shall too clearly define its limits.  The States may refuse obedience, and then the poor invalided body will fall into greater disrepute than ever.”

“I have thought of that,” replied Hamilton, “and if the worst comes to the worst, I have a radical plan to propose,—­that Congress publish frankly its imperfections to the country—­imperfections which make it impossible to conduct the public affairs with honour to itself or advantage to the United States; that it ask the States to appoint a convention, with full powers to revise the Confederation, and to adopt and propose all necessary alterations—­all to be approved or rejected, in the last instance, by the legislatures of the several States.  That would be the first step toward a national government.  With that, all things would be possible,—­the payment of our foreign loan, of our army, duties on foreign goods, which is a source of revenue to which they are incredibly blind; the establishment of a firm government, under which all will prosper that are willing to work, of a National Bank, of a peace army—­”

“Of Utopia!” exclaimed Morris.  “Hamilton, you are the least visionary man in this country, but you are God knows how many years ahead of your times.  If we are ever on two legs again, you will put us there; but your golden locks will thin in the process, and that rosy boyish face we love will be lined with the seams of the true statesman.  Only you could contemplate imbuing these fossilized and commonplace intellects, composing our Congress of the Confederation—­mark the ring of it!—­with a belief in its own impotency and worthlessness.  You are not mortal.  I always said it.  When Duane gave me your letter to read, I remarked:  ’He withdrew to heaven, and wrote that letter on the knee of the Almighty; never on earth could he have found the courage and the optimism.’  No, Hamilton, I would embrace you, did my wooden leg permit me to escape your wrath,