After the war

By Bookclub

  • H becomes citizen of New York (24 yrs old)

  • Period: to

    H resumes studying law

  • H accepts Morris' offer to be "receiver of taxes" for NY

    H turned it down in May, but Morris sweetened the deal
    H agreed to lobby state legislature for taxes for Morris

  • H passes the NY bar - 9 months of studying law

    Tory lawyers not allowed in NY state courts so it's a bonanza for republican lawyers

  • H named as a delegate from NY to Congress (Continental Congress)

  • H arrives in Philly for his place in Continental Congress

  • H appeals to gvr Clinton to resettle officiers in NY

    Clinton heeds H's advice and landgrants are provided to officers

  • Congress appoints H to chair committee for peace agreements

  • Period: to

    Society of the Cincinnati

    first general meeting May 1784
    GW asks to delete the provision of hereditary membership
    July 1786 - H states this society exists only to maintain bonds of friendship and aid families of fallen commrades

  • H weary after 7 months in Congress knowing country not ready to amend Articles of Confederation

  • H writes resolution to revise Articles of Confederation

  • Resolution foundered and H would soon go home

    Advocates of state sovereignty wanted Congress dismantled ==
    Congress was too strong for their taste

  • H and Eliza rent a home in NYC --H starts a law practice

    House is in "less fashionable" end of Wall Street
    Burr in the fashionable end and also practicing law
  • Period: to

    Home on Wall Street for 10 years

  • H named director of Bank of New York

    H writes the bank's constitution in next 3 weeks
  • Period: to

    H's law practice takes off defending Tories

    early 1784 - persecution of Tories is common
    March 1774 - H defends rich Tory against "Brewery widow
    June 29, 1774 - the case is a test of the Trespass Act
    mid August - verdict is split, but smashing triumph for H
    Next 3 years H handles 45 cases on the Trespass Act and
    20 cases on Confiscation and Citation Acts

  • Loyalists denied vote for next 2 years

    NY legislature passes
    H feels breach of peace treaty

  • Bank of New York opens

    Oldest stock on NYSE

  • H's daughter "Angelica" born

  • Period: to

    New York Manumission Society

  • H joins Manumission

  • H's brother (James) reaches out for money

    H did not lend the money
    James likely died a year later (death date not known)

  • H added to Manumission committee to halt exporting slaves from NY

  • H agrees to 1 term in NY legislature - after NOT wanting to run in 1785

    H leaves lucrative law practice
    but agrees to serve due to zeal for reform
    During legislative term H voted on 2 measures
    1-divorced due to adulatory, cannot remarry
    2-deter mothers of illegitimate children from killing them

  • H named to the Annapolis Convention as NY delegate

  • H's 3rd child "Alexander" born

  • H heads to Annapolis

  • H's heroic stand in NY Assembly for 5% tax - but soundly defeated

  • H arrives in Philly for Constitutional Convention

    w/ 2 other delegates from NY (Clintonians)
  • Period: to

    H in Philly for Constitutional Convention

    H (like others) back and forth to Philly

  • H's 6-hour speech - speech praised by all, supported by none

  • H voices anxiety over stalemate (VA or NJ plan)

    H's first major statement on foreign policy

  • H drives passionate debate on immigration (yrs residency for legislatures)

    H overruled with years of residency being
    7 - H of R
    9- Senators
    14 - President

  • H returns to NY to attend Manumission meeting - addresses 3/5 decision

    apprises members of the impending counting of slaves as 3/5 person
  • Period: to

    Ratification - 9 states needed to ratify the U.S. Constitution

    H pours himself into supporting the Constitution
  • Period: to

    The Federalist (essays)

  • H conceives a writing project to help NYers with the Constitution

  • H re-elected to the NY legislature

  • H selected as delegate for NY Convention (on ratification)

  • H's 4th child "James" is born

  • NY delegates go to Poughkeepsie Convention

    H makes a rule the Constitution had to be debated clause by clause before a vote could be taken

  • H makes first prolonged assault on opponents

  • NY ratifies - smallest margin (30-27)

  • Emotions turn to rage after NH (#9) ratifies

    H delivers speech and 2 other delegates denounce H
    H turns and cross examines (prosecutorial style)
    session adjourned by Clinton

  • H receives dispatch - VA ratified on June 25th

  • H speech on unconditional adoption of the Constitution - argumentative and impassioned

  • NYC might secede from NY if constitution not ratified

  • H sends GW the 2 volumes of The Federalist to woo GW to be President

  • H tries to unseat Clinton with Yates for NY gvnr

  • GW asks H thoughts on presidential etiquette (GW pres 4-30)

  • Adams asks H if son Charles could study law with H

    H flattered and accepts

  • H delivers memorial speech for Nathaniel Greene

    commits faux pax openly mocking the state militia under Greene

  • H named to Treasury job

    H is logical choice
    Culmination of his long campaign with the Constitution

  • Hamilton's rented pew 92 at Trinity Church

    H performed free legal work for the church
    H and Eliza buried there and so are son Philip and sister Angelica Church