It was indeed no imagined wound that inflicted so keen an anguish For some time after his death, thE novel and strange events of Europe succeeded each other unregard ed. The nation was enchained to its subject, and brooded over its grief, which was more deep than eloquent; which, though dumb, made itself felt without utterance; and which -lid not merely pass, but, like an electrical shock, at the sane instant smote and astonished, as it passed from Georgia to Ne-v Hampshire. There is a kind of force put upon our thought_ by this disaster, that detains and rivets them to a closer contemplation of those resplendent virtues which are now lost excep to memory ; and there will dwell forever. That writer womedeserve the fame of a public benefactor, who could exhibit the character of general Hamilton with the truth and force that dl, who intimately knew him, con ceived it. His example world then take the same ascen dant as his talents. The portra;« alone, however exquisite ly finished, could not inspire genius where it is not ; but if the world should again have possession of so rare a gift, it might awaken it where it sleeps, as by a spark from hea ven's own altar : for, surely, if there be any thing like divi nity in man, it is in his admiration of virtue: but who alive can exhibit this portrait ? If our age, on that supposition more fruitful than any other, had produced two Hamiltons, one of them might then have depicted the other. To de lineate genius one must feel its power. Hamilton, and he alone, with all inspiration, could have transferred his whole fervid soul into the picture, and swelled its lineaments into life. The writer's mind, expanding with his own enthusi asm, and glowing with kindred fires, would then have stretched to the dimensions of his subject.
Such is the infirmity of human nature, it is very difficult for a man, who is greatly the superior of his associates, to preserve their friendship without abatement. Yet, though general Hamilton could not possibly conceal his superiori ty, he was so little inclined to display it, he was so much at case in its possession, that no jealousy br envy chilled his bosom when his friends obtained praise. He was, indeed, so entirely the friend of his friends; so magnanimous ; so su perior, or, more properly, so insensible to all exclusive sel fishness of spirit; so frank; so ardent, yet so little overbear ing; so much trusted, admired ; beloved, almost adored ; that his power over their affections was entire, and lasted through his life. It is not believed, that he left any worthy man his foe, who had ever been his friend. Men of the most elevated minds have nut always the readiest discern ment of character. Perhaps he was sometimes too sudden and too lavish in bestowing ills confidence. His manly spirit, diFdaining artifice, suspected none ; but white the power of his friends over him seemed to have no limits, and really had none, in respect to those things which were of a nature to bew yielded, no man, not the Roman Cato himself, was more inflt xible on every point that touched, or only seemed to touch, integrity and honour. With him, it was .not
enough to be unsuspected. His bosom would have glowed like a furnace at its own whispers of reproach. Mere pu rity would have seemed to him below praise ; and such were his habits, and such his nature, that the pecuniary temptations, which many others can only with great exer tion and self-denial resist, had no attractions for him. He was very far from obstinate. Yet, as his friends assailed his opinions with less profound thought than he had devot ed to them, they were seldom shaken by discussion. He defended them, however, with as much mildness as force ; and evinced that, if he did not yield, it was not for want of gentleness or modesty. His social affections, and his p•i vate virtues, are not, however, so properly the object of public attention, as the conspicuous and commanding qua lities that gate him fame and influence in the world. It is not as Apollo, enchanting the shepherds with his lyre ; it is as Hercules, treacherously slain, in the midst of his unfinished labours, leaving the world overrun with mon sters, that he is most deeply deplored.
In all the different stations in which a life of active use fulness placed him, he was not more remarkably distin guished by the extent, than by the variety and versatility of his talents. In every place, he made it apparent, that no other man could have filled it so well ; and, in times of cri tical importance, in which• alone he desired employment, his services were justly deemed indispensable. •As secre tary of the treasury, his was the powerful spirit that presid ed over the chaos— Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar Stood ruled Indeed in organizing the federal government in 1789, every man of either%ense or candour will allow, the diffi culty seemed greater than the first rate abilities could su• mount. The event has shown that his abilities were greater than those difficulties. He surmounted them, and Wash ington's administration was the most wise and beneficent, the most prosperous, and ought to be the most popular, that ever was entrusted with the affairs of a nation. Great as was Washington's merit, much of it in plan, much in ex caution, was due to the talents, and ought to enhance the me mory of his minister. As a lawyer, his comprehensive genius reached the principles of his profession. He compassed its ex tent; and fathomed its profound, perhaps even more familiarly and easily, than the ordinary rules of its practice. With most men, law is a trade. With him it was a science. As a states man, he was not more distinguished by the great extent of his views, than by the caution with which he provided against impediments, and the watchfulness of his care, over right, and the liberty of the subject. In. none of the many revenue bills which he framed, though committees report ed them, is there to be found a single clause that savours of despotic power ; not one that the sagest champions of law and liberty would, on that ground, hesitate to approve and adopt.