HAMIL TO N, ALEXANDER, an American statesman; born in Nevis, W. I., Jan. 11, 1757. In 1772 he was sent to Elizabethtown, N. J., to a grammar school, and in 1773 entered King's Col lege (now Columbia University). When the Revolution broke out he was ap pointed (1776) captain of artillery, and in 1777 was made a member of Washing ton's staff, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1780 he married a daughter of General Schuyler. Being reproved by Washington for some slight matter, he resigned his commission, but the next year was in command of a battalion of infantry, engaging in the battle of York town. The war being ended he studied law, and was sent to Congress in 1782, and again in 1787. He served in the convention that framed the National Constitution, where he led the sentiment in favor of a strong Federal government, as against a mere union of States. He wrote the greater number of papers col lected in "The Federalist," that exerted great influence in bringing the States to accept the Constitution, and became the leader of the Federalist party. He
was made the first Secretary of the Treasury under Washington. He was by this time ranked with Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin, as one of the four great Americans of his day. His position as the leader of the Federalist party brought him into conflict with Jefferson and Monroe, but he neverthe less supported Jefferson in the election contest between him and Burr in the House of Representatives, and partly by his influence Burr was defeated. He became inspector-general of the army in 1798. He was one of the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati, of which, in 1800, he became President-General. In 1804 he exerted his influence to de feat Aart,n Burr, who was a candidate for governor of New York. Burr chal lenged Hamilton to a duel, in which he was mortally wounded by Burr's first fire, and died the following day, July 11, 1804.