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The final question was then taken, and by a majority of three votes, the Constitution was adopted on the twenty-fifth of July. The Convention again met the next day; and, after a few observations by Clinton, to the effect, that, until another Convention was called to consider the amendments which had been recommended, the probability was, that the people who were opposed to the Constitution would not be satisfied; but, that he would endeavor, as far as was in his power, to preserve peace and good order. The Convention then, having executed a formal ratification, adjourned indefinitely.

During the last days of its session, the City of New York exhibited a scene of the most intense excitement. Congress hardly cared to deliberate. The citizens moved to and fro, awaiting anxiously a result, in which they felt that all was at stake. At each corner of the streets, the inquiry was, "what is the news?" and, along the wharves, dense masses were collected, waiting the approach of every sail. As though all their hopes were concentrated in him, the reply was, "Hamilton is speaking yet." "Hamilton is speaking yet." Late in the evening of the twenty-eighth of July, the happy result was announced. The bells pealed the joyful news. The cannon resounded from the Forts; and their grateful constituents, forming a procession through the city, fired a salute before the residence of each delegate, to whose exertions they were so much indebted.

The following day, Hamilton resumed his place in Congress, and presented the ratification of the Constitution by New York. His fellow-citizens resolved to cele

of the wisest and brightest of our American statesmen. To discriminate largely, might be invidious; but it could not be so, he said, to select Franklin, revered by the wise men of Europe, and Washington, crowned with laurels and refulgent with glory."

brate this great event, which, with a wise augury, they foresaw, would raise their corporation of thirty thousand persons to become the great city of the Union-the metropolis of an Empire-the mart of the Western hemisphere.

In this celebration, all interests and classes united. The merchants-the traders-the learned professions— followed by a great concourse of artisans, in separate divisions, singing odes, which were scattered, as they passed along. Among the emblems, was an ensign with a flag representing the head of "WASHINGTON;" on the reverse, that of "HAMILTON." The printers attended a PRESS, bearing on high, a banner inscribed with the words, "PUBLIUS"-"Liberty of the Press"- “The Epoch of Liberty and Justice," in golden letters. The Chandlers bore a flag with thirteen stripes, where, again were seen united, the heads of "Washington,” and of "HAMILTON." The sail-makers had a stage, with the emblematic ship "New Constitution." In the centre of a standard, was seen the figure of "HAMILTON," with the "Constitution" in his right hand, and the "Confederation" in his left-Fame, with her trumpet and laurels, to crown him. But the principal object in the pageant was, the Federal ship, "HAMILTON," a frigate, fully manned, saluted and saluting, telling forth the triumph of a NATION. A public feast, of which thousands partook, where, amid huzzas and toasts, re-echoed the name of "HAMILTON," closed this great festive day.

"That bright and golden age of the Republic," observes Chancellor Kent, a spectator of this interesting scene, "may now be numbered with the years beyond the flood; and, I am left, almost alone, to recall and enjoy the enchanting vision. The Convention combined the talents, experience, and weight of character, of some of

the most distinguished men in the State. Most of them had been disciplined in the discussions, services, and perils of the Revolution. There was no difficulty in deciding at once, on which side of the House, the superiority in debate existed; yet, in the ordinary range of the discussion, it was found, that the dignity, candor, and strength of Jay; the polished address and elegant erudition of Chancellor Livingston; the sagacity and exhaustless researches of Hamilton, were met with equal pretensions by their opponents-supported by the simplicity and unpretending good sense of Clinton; the sound judgment of Jones; the plausible deductions of Lansing, and the metaphysical mind and embarrassing subtleties of Smith. Hamilton maintained the ascendency on every question; and, being the only member present, who had signed the Constitution, he felt and sustained, most intrepidly, the weight of the responsibility which belonged to him, as the leader on the Federal side of the question.

"He was, indisputably, pre-eminent; and all seemed, as by common consent, to concede to him, the burden and the honor of the debate. Melancthon Smith, was, also, the most prominent and the most responsible speaker on the Anti-federal side of the Convention. There was no person to be compared with him in his powers of acute and logical discussion. He was Hamilton's most persevering and formidable antagonist, but he was worsted in every contest." "As, Hamilton had been a leading member of the National Convention, and a leading writer of the Federalist,' his mind had become familiar with the principles of the Federal Government, and with every topic of debate; and, he was prompt, ardent, energetic, and overflowing with an exuberance of argument and illustration.

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"He generally spoke with great earnestness and enerVOL. III.-34

gy, and with considerable, and sometimes, vehement gesture. His language was clear, nervous, and classical. His investigations penetrated to the foundation and reason of every doctrine and principle which he examined; and he brought to the debate a mind richly adorned with all the learning and precedents requisite for the occasion. He never omitted to meet, examine, and discover the strength or weakness, the truth or falsehood, of every proposition, which he had to contend with. His candor was magnanimous, and rose to a level with his abilities. His temper was spirited, but courteous, amiable, and generous; and he frequently made powerful and pathetic appeals to the moral sense and patriotism, to the fears and hopes of the Assembly; and painted, vividly, the difficulties and dangers of the crisis, in order to prepare their minds for the reception of the Constitution.

"The arguments used by Colonel Hamilton in the debates in the Convention, were substantially the same which he had before employed in the FEDERALIST. They could not well have been any other, for he had already urged, in support of the Constitution, all the leading considerations which led to the plan of it, and which guided the skill of the artists. The wisdom of the Commentator was now repeated, and enforced by the eloquence of the Orator.

"The style and manner of Smith's speeches were plain, dry, and syllogistic; and, it behooved his adversary to understand well the ground on which he stood, and the principles he advanced, or he might find it somewhat embarrassing to extricate himself from a subtle web of specious reasoning, unless, indeed, it was met by Hamilton's skill and strength, which nothing could resist."

CHAPTER LV.

DURING his exertions to induce the concurrence of New York, Hamilton's attention was called, by a letter from a gentleman of highly distinguished talents and character, to a subject, in various points of view, of great interest— the relations of Vermont to the new Government. In his reply, addressed to Nathaniel Chipman, afterwards a member of the Senate of the United States, he observed:

"Your brother delivered me your favor, which I received with pleasure, as the basis of a correspondence that may be productive of public good.

"The accession of Vermont to the Confederacy, is, doubtless, an object of great importance to the whole; and, it appears to me, that this is the favorable moment for effecting it upon the best terms for all concerned. Besides more general reasons, there are circumstances of the moment which will forward a proper arrangement. One of the first subjects of deliberation with the new Congress will be, the Independence of Kentucky, for which the Southern States will be anxious. The Northern, will be glad to send a counterpoise in Vermont. Then, mutual interests and inclinations will facilitate a proper result.

"I see nothing that can stand in your way, but the interfering claims under the grants of New York. As to

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