One of Hamilton’s most famous accomplishments is his creation of the National Bank. The National Bank is necessary because it helps retain a uniform currency, able to hold government deposits, and be able to lend the government money for projects.

2. Establish National Debt

Hamilton also created the national debt much to the dismay of the Democratic-Republicans. The National Debt is important so that all states can retain their wealth instead of certain states being bankrupt and others being prosperous.

The most significant controversy of Hamilton’s career is his affair with Maria Reynolds. Hamilton was tricked by Maria and her husband and was forced to pay them hush money. This is because after he announced his affair to the public to denounce another scandal he forfeited any chance at becoming president and he permanently tarnished his name in politics.

2. Phillip’s Duel

Hamilton’s son got into a fight with George Eacker over his father which resulted in a duel. Instead of convincing his son not to engage in the duel to protect his father’s name Alexander gives his son advice to fire away from his Eacker. Phillip ends up getting shot and killed.

I am indebted to you, my dear Hamilton, for two letters; the first from Albany,2 as masterly a piece of cynicism as ever was penned, the other from Philadelphia, dated the 2d March;3 in both, you mention a design of retiring, which makes me exceedingly unhappy. I would not wish to have you for a moment withdrawn from the public service; at the same time, my friendship for you, and knowlege of your value to the United States, make me most ardently desire, that you should fill only the first offices of the Republic. I was flattered with an account of your being elected a delegate from N. York,4 and am much mortified not to hear it confirmed by yourself. I must confess to you, that, at the present state of the War, I shd. prefer your going into Congress, and from thence, becoming a Minister plenipotentiary for peace, to your remaining in the Army, where the dull System of seniority and the Tableau would prevent you from having the important commands to which you are entitled; but at any rate I wd. not have you renounce your rank in the Army, unless you entered the career above-mentioned. Your private affairs cannot require such immediate and close attention; you speak like a pater familias5 surrounded with a numerous progeny.

I had, in fact, resumed the black project,6 as you were informed, and urged the matter very strenuously, both to our privy council and legislative body; but I was out-voted, having only reason on my side, and being opposed by a triple-headed monster that shed the baneful influence of Avarice, prejudice, and pusillanimity in all our Assemblies. It was some consolation to me, however, to find that philosophy and truth had made some little progress since my last effort, as I obtained twice as many suffrages as before.

Sir,

Your letter of the 20th inst. has been this day received. Having considered it attentively, I regret to find in it nothing of that sincerity and delicacy which you profess to value.

Political opposition can never absolve gentlemen from the necessity of a rigid adherence to the laws of honor and the rules of decorum. I neither claim such privilege nor indulge it in others.

The common sense of mankind affixes to the epithet adopted by Dr. Cooper the idea of dishonor. It has been publicly applied to me under the sanction of your name. The question is not whether he has understood the meaning of the word or has used it according to syntax and with grammatical accuracy, but whether you have authorized this application either directly or by uttering expression or opinion derogatory to my honor. The time “when” is in your own knowledge but no way material to me, as the calumny has now just been disclosed so as to become the subject of my notice and as the effect is present and palpable.

Your letter has furnished me with new reasons for requiring a definite reply.

I have the honor to be
Your Obdt. S^t

A. Burr