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Robert Culhane
Hist 109 MW
Mrs. Manley
Essay #1
Jefferson vs Hamilton
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton undoubtedly paved the way for modern politics
and worked together to created a America thriving on freedom and democracy. These two men
had ideas very different from their predecessors and were both bold enough to stand their ground
and speak for what they believe in. Jefferson and Hamilton had a common a goal, however- the
two lacked in agreement on how to get to that goal, this lead to the formation of the infamous
Federalist Party- lead by the outspoken Alexander Hamilton and the Anti Federalist Party
founded by Thomas Jefferson.
1
Each party had similar goals of independence and freedom, but
the two parties had differences in policies and political concepts that helped influence the way
for politics today and helped shaped the nation we are living in.
When reading Noble E. Cunningham S Jefferson vs. Hamilton - Confrontations That Shaped
a Nation, there are clear examples of divided opinions and split beliefs- from Foreign policy, the
role of the federal government versus the state government, Banking and Economics, to the
constitution itself. I will use these examples to show how the divide between Thomas Jefferson
and Alexander Hamilton not only shook the Nation at a young and vulnerable time but also how
they paved the way for modern politics with their outspoken philosophy and clear agenda.
Banking and Economics
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton first began their political divide early on when
Hamilton was assigned the devious task of assessing the public credit.
2
Afterall, following the
Revolutionary war the young government was faced with extreme debt. Hamilton's background
in finance and economics allowed him to compile a sophisticated fifty one page report loaded
with everything the government needed to know along with a time frame which he proposed to
the house on January 14 1790.
3
Unfortunately, certain parts of Hamilton’s proposed idea had
politicians and lawmakers concerned, his plan to repay the debt overseas had no opposition, but
1
Noble E. Cunningham, “Conflict in Washington's Cabinet” in Jefferson vs Hamilton: Confrontations that
Shaped a Nation, Noble E. Cunningham Jr., (Boston: Bedford st Martin’s 2000) 77
2
Noble E. Cunningham, "Diverging Courses" in Jefferson vs Hamilton: Confrontations that Shaped a
Nation, Noble E. Cunningham Jr., (Boston: Bedford st Martin’s 2000) 29
3
Ibid.
when it came to repaying the state owed debt there were differences. In oppositions opinions
many of the securities have lost their value and depreciated over time, not to mention a lot of the
time the securities weren’t even held by the original owner but bought by speculators.
4
After
repeatedly debating how to repay the state debt and discussing back and forth, the House was at a
gridlock, that's when Thomas Jefferson reached out. Even though it was out of Jefferson’s sector,
Jefferson arrange a meeting between his friend, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton to try
and come to a resolve. In a memoir written by Thomas Jefferson in 1792, Jefferson states his
intentions on bringing James Madison and Alexander Hamilton together; “On considering the
situation of things I thought the first step towards some conciliation of views would be to bring
Mr. Madison and Colo. Hamilton to a friendly discussion of the subject”
5
. Soon after this
meeting between Madison and Hamilton, and following vigorous lobbying by Hamilton, an
agreement was made in congress in favor of Alexander Hamilton’s proposed settlement. It didn't
take long for Thomas Jefferson to regret these arrangements due to the unethical nature of
Alexander Hamilton’s lobbying.Thomas Jefferson felt he had been used as a tool by Alexander
Hamilton to strengthen his own political agenda.
6
Hamilton rigorously persuaded and threatened
leaders from Virginia and Pennsylvania to the point where Thomas Jefferson wrote “It was
unjust, in itself oppressive to the states, and was acquiesced in merely from a fear of disunion,
while our government was still in it’s most infant state. It enabled Hamilton so to strengthen
himself by corrupt services to many, that he could afterward carry his bank scheme, and every
measure he proposed in defiance of the opposition..”
7
This was only the beginning of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton’s rocky
relationship together on George Washington’s cabinet, not only was Alexander Hamilton’s views
