pamphlet, if not more, to damn him finally with the Federalists.  Hamilton’s chief punishment for his thunderbolt was in his conscience, and his leadership of his party was not questioned for a moment.  He expected a paternal rebuke from General Schuyler, but that old warrior, severe always with the delinquencies of his own children, had found few faults in his favourite son-in-law; and he took a greater pride in his career than he had taken in his own.  Now that gout and failing sight had forced him from public life, he found his chief enjoyment in Hamilton’s society.  General Schuyler survived the death of several of his children and of his wife, but Hamilton’s death killed him.  Assuredly, life dealt generously with our hero in the matter of fathers, despite or because of an early oversight.  James Hamilton had never made the long and dangerous journey to the North, and he had died on St. Vincent, in 1799, but what filial regret his son might have dutifully experienced was swept away on the current of the overwhelming grief for Washington.  And as for mothers, charming elder sisters, and big brothers, eager to fight his battles, no man was ever so blest.  In December Hamilton received the following letter from William Vans Murray:—­

     Paris, Oct. 9th, 1800.

Dear Sir:  I was extremely flattered by the confidence which your letter by Mr. Colbert proved you have in my disposition to follow your wishes.  A letter from you is no affair of ceremony.  It is an obligation on any man who flatters himself with the hope of your personal esteem.  Mr. Colbert gave it to me yesterday.  I immediately, in particular, addressed a letter to Bonaparte, and made use of your name, which I was sure would be pleasing to him.  To-day I dined with him.  The Secretary of State assured me that he received it kindly, and I can hope something good from him.  If any come it will be your work.  I never before spoke or wrote to Bonaparte on any affair other than public business.  It will be very pleasing to you if we succeed, that your silent agency works good to the unhappy and meritorious at such a distance.  I know nothing better belonging to reputation.

Poor Adams!

General Davie arrived by the next ship, bringing with him a convention concluded with France on the 30th of October.  He also brought a letter to Hamilton from one of the commission, with a copy of the document and a journal of the proceedings of the negotiators.  The writer was Oliver Ellsworth, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.  Adams might occupy the chair of State, but to the Federals Hamilton was President in all but name.

Sedgwick and Gouverneur Morris, now a member of the Senate, not knowing of the communication, wrote immediately to Hamilton, acquainting him with the contents of the treaty.