“You may put it that way if you choose.  It certainly will not be blinded by his speciousness and aid him in his subtle monarchism.  ’Contribute in an eminent degree to an orderly, stable, and satisfactory arrangement of the Nation’s finances!’ ’Several reasons which render it probable that the situation of the State creditors will be worse than that of the creditors of the Union, if there be not a national assumption of the State debts!’ And then his plan of debit and credit, with ’little doubt that balances would appear in favour of all the States against the United States!’ My blood has boiled since I read that paper.  I have feared apoplexy.  He is clever, that West Indian,—­do they grow many such?—­but he did not select a country composed entirely of fools to machinate in.”

“My dearest Governor,” whispered Mrs. Croix, “calm yourself, pray.  Only you can cope with Mr. Hamilton.  You must be the colossal spirit without the walls of Congress to whom all will look for guidance.  If you become ill, the cause is lost.”

Clinton composed himself promptly, and asked Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, which, section of the Report he expected to attack first.  There were no Federalists present.

Gerry shrugged his shoulders and shot a narrow glance of contempt at the Governor.  “Give me time, your Excellency, pray.  Mr. Hamilton’s paper has the thought of a decade in it.  It merits at least a week of thought on our part.  I never could agree with him in all things, but in some I am at one with him; and I acknowledge myself deeply in his debt, insomuch as he has taught me, among thousands of others, to ’think continentally,’ I certainly agree with him that to pay to present holders the full value of their certificates, without discrimination, is a matter of constitutional law, a violation of which would be a menace to the new government.  I shall support him on that point at the risk of being accused of speculation.”

Stone, of Maryland, was striding up and down, but a degree less agitated than the Governor of New York.

“The man is cleverer than all the rest of us put together!” he exclaimed.  “Let us not forget that for an instant.  A greater thought than this of assumption has never been devised by man.  If it be carried into execution,—­which God forbid,—­it will prove a wall of adamant to the Federal government, impregnable to any attempt on its fabric or operations.”

“Oh, is it so bad as that?” asked Gerry.  “Every fort falls if the siege be sufficiently prolonged.  I apprehend no such disaster, and I confess I see much promise in at least two of Mr. Hamilton’s schemes.  After all, the redemption of the country is what we must look to first.”

“You are a trimmer.  Cannot you see that if the whole revenue of the States be taken into the power of Congress, it will prove a band to draw us so close together as not to leave the smallest interstice for separation?”