PAGE 271. “‘The Federalist,’ written principally by Hamilton, exhibits an extent and precision of information, a profundity of research, and an accurateness of understanding, which would have done honour to the most illustrious statesmen of ancient or modern times.”—­Edinburgh Review, No. 24.

“It is a work altogether, which, for comprehensiveness of design, strength, clearness, and simplicity, has no parallel.  We do not even except or overlook Montesquieu and Aristotle among the writings of men.”—­Blackwood’s Magazine, January, 1825.

“In the application of elementary principles of government to practical administration ‘The Federalist’ is the greatest work known to me.”—­Guizot.

PAGE 300.  This coup of Hamilton’s was evidently not placed on record,—­for manifest reasons,—­for it is not to be found in Elliot’s “Debates,” and we should have lost it but for a letter from Clinton to John Lamb.  See Foster, “On the Constitution,” page 4, Vol.  I.

PAGE 304.  On page 842, “History of the Republic,” by J.C.  Hamilton, is the only letter from Hamilton to his brother James which has been preserved.  It is well known in the family, however, that he corresponded with both his father and brother after his arrival in America.  A letter from his father promising to come to the United States as soon as practicable will be found on page 567, Vol.  V, Hamilton’s Works (J.C.  Hamilton edition).

PAGE 304.  I am at a loss to understand upon what authority certain of Hamilton’s biographers base their assertion that, shortly after his arrival in this country, he cut his West Indian relatives, ignored their many claims upon his affection and gratitude, and deliberately excluded them from his memory.  There is no such assertion in his son’s biography, and the lives of Hamilton that have followed have been little more than a condensation of that voluminous work.  This uncharitable assumption—­which must precede such a statement—­cannot be the result of an exhaustive reading of his correspondence, for there they would find letters from Hugh Knox and Governor Walsterstorff and Edward Stevens, extending over a period of many years; and reproaches in none of them.  Nor can it be the result of investigation among his descendants, for it is well known in the Hamilton family, that he not only corresponded regularly with his relatives, including his father, for a long while, but that he supported Mrs. Mitchell after her husband’s failure and death.  And even if this indisputable information were not accessible, it is incredible to me that any one capable of understanding Hamilton even a little should believe that so contemptible a quality as ingratitude had any place in his nature.  The most impetuous, generous, honest, and tender of men, he was the last person to turn his back upon those who had befriended and supported him in his precarious youth.  Had he been capable of such meanness, he would not have died lamented by the best men in the country, many of whom had loved him devotedly for a quarter of a century.  Nor was there any motive for such a performance.  One is not at all surprised to find that Mrs. Mitchell was among the last of his earthly thoughts; but were there not ample proof of the falsity of these careless assertions, then indeed would Hamilton be an enigma.