Summary

In Chapter 36: In A Very Belligerent Humor, Hamilton writes a private pamphlet slamming Adams, and hopes that it will be circulated among Federalists. But the pamphlet is leaked to Republican newspapers, most likely by Aaron Burr or John Beckley. This forces Hamilton to publish the pamphlet in public in its entirety. Many are perplexed by the pamphlet, for it both slams Adams and asks that electors give votes equally to Adams and Pinckney. The pamphlet ultimately backfires against Hamilton, as most Federalists think Hamilton a hypocrite for it. Adams does not even respond to the pamphlet because it has backfired on Hamilton so badly. In the presidential election, Jefferson claims a narrow victory, which Adams blames on Hamilton’s pamphlet. The election loss turns more Federalists against Hamilton, who believe Hamilton has wasted his prestige and created a negative, pessimistic outlook on the...