The Life of Alexander Hamilton. Allan McLane Hamilton

      Regardless of a parent's prayr

      Has stopped my lovely Infant's breath.

      With rapture number o'er thy charms

      While on thy harmless sports intent

       [Illegihle]

      Or pratling in my happy arms.

      No more thyself Important tale

      Some embryo meaning shall convey

      Whilst, should th' imperfect accents fail

      Thy speaking looks would still d'play.

      Thou'rt gone, forever gone—yet where;

      Oh! pleasing thought; to endless bliss.

      Then why Indulge the rising tear

      Cans't thou, fond heart, lament for this?

      Little babe thou enteredst the world weeping while all around you smiled; continue so to live, that you may depart in smiles while all around you weep.

      His interest in educational institutions is well known, and in 1792, with others, he founded an Indian school at Oneida, and his name headed the list of trustees. This has since become Hamilton College. His public services were appreciated by many universities which have since become famous. As early as 1788 Columbia College, empowered by act of Legislature, made him a Doctor of Laws, while the same honor was conferred by Dartmouth in 1790. In the archives of this college is an autograph letter written from Philadelphia and dated January 18, 179I9 sending thanks to Dr. Wheelock, then the president, for this compliment. In 1791 the College of New Jersey, now Princeton, gave him this degree, and in 1792 both Harvard and Brown Universities followed the example of the other institutions. In reply to the president, the Reverend Joseph Willard, of Harvard, Hamilton wrote from Philadelphia, September 6,1792: "The honour which has been done me by the Overseers of the antient and justly celebrated institution, over which you preside, is appreciated by me, as it merits, and receives my most cordial acknowledgement. Among the many painful circumstances, that surround a station like mine—this flattering mark of the esteem of a body—so respectable—is a source both of satisfaction and consolation." At a meeting of the American Philosophical Society, the oldest scientific body in America, held January 21, 1791, "The U. S. Secretary & Treasurer, Alexander Hamilton, was elected a member of this Society." At the same meeting Attorney-General Randolph, Alexander Addison, Albert Gallatin, and others became members.

      At a meeting held April 4, 1800, the Rev. Dr. Collier made a statement of the sums received by him to aid Michaux's projected expedition. That he had received April 13, 1793, a donation of $12.50 from Alexander Hamilton, George Washington $25, Robert Morris $20, Thomas Jefferson $12.50, etc."

      As a public speaker Hamilton was regarded by all his contemporaries in the same way—and no praise seems to have been too great.

      A person who was very familiar with Hamilton's methods in this respect was Chancellor James Kent. Though he was Hamilton's junior by seven years, they were always close and intimate friends. "Hamilton," said Kent, "generally spoke with great earnestness and energy, and with considerable and sometimes vehement gesture. His language was clear, nervous and classical. He went to the foundation and reason of every doctrine which he examined, and he brought to the debate a mind richly adorned with all the learning that was applicable/'

      Lodge writes: "There was certainly no one who was in active public life during the same period, unless it be John Adams, or Fisher Ames on one memorable occasion, who could compare with him as an orator"; and again: "It is very plain, too, that Hamilton's success in this direction was by no means wholly due to what he said or to his power of reasoning and of lucid and forcible statement. The man was impressive."

      There is little information as to how Hamilton actually looked and spoke, if we may except what James Kent has said. It is certain from such knowledge as we possess that that he was eminently fair in his arguments, and always fully presented both sides of the question—his trial notes show this. He was always explanatory, and did not cloud the issue by a flow of turgid or high-flown rhetoric. It would appear that his appeals and his statement of any case had the effect of a great narration, and then after drawing his conclusion there was often an impassioned burst of eloquence. As Morse says, "When he closed he left upon his hearers the impression, generally correct, that they had been over the whole ground—not over selected parts .y Though slight and of comparatively small stature, he was forceful and impressive, and had the full powers of suggestion and fascination. In fact he made his hearers believe as he did."