Jefferson-Hamilton Debate

This is a Reading List based upon a Liberty Fund Conference on a “Debate between Jefferson and Hamilton”.

Guide to the Readings

The discussion for each session is based upon some specific readings which are listed below. The readings are available in two forms:

• as a collection of self-contained "packets" (one for each session)
  
• Session 1 Readings
• Session 2 Readings
• Session 3 Readings
• Session 4 Readings
• Session 5 Readings
• Session 6 Readings
  
• or as links to the original texts in The Library. This option is useful if you wish to read more from the original title or if you wish to do a key word search of the texts.

The editions used:

• Thomas Jefferson, The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). 12 vols.
• James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, The Federalist (The Gideon Edition), Edited with an Introduction, Reader’s Guide, Constitutional Cross-reference, Index, and Glossary by George W. Carey and James McClellan (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2001).
• Alexander Hamilton, The Works of Alexander Hamilton, ed. Henry Cabot Lodge (Federal Edition) (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904). In 12 vols.
• George Washington, George Washington: A Collection, compiled and edited by W.B. Allen (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988).
• Alexander Hamilton, The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793-1794: Toward the Completion of the American Founding, edited with and Introduction by Morton J. Frisch (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2007).

See also the Topics:

• The American Revolution and Constitution

For additional reading see:

• Alexander Hamilton
• George Washington

Session 1

[See the packet of readings for this session.]

• Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence (Jefferson’s version) (1776) - see original in OLL Library
• Jefferson, “Summary View of the Rights of British North America” (1774) - see original in OLL Library
• Alexander Hamilton,“A Full Vindication" (12/15/1774) - see original in OLL Library

Session 2

[See the packet of readings for this session.]

• Jefferson to
  • William Smith (11/13/1787) - see original in OLL Library
  • James Madison (12/20/1787) - see original in OLL Library
  • Alexander Donald (2/7/1788) - not available online
• Hamilton, Federalist
  • No. 1 - see original in OLL Library
  • No. 6 - see original in OLL Library
  • No. 9 - see original in OLL Library
  • No. 70 - see original in OLL Library
  • No. 71 - see original in OLL Library
  • No. 72 - see original in OLL Library
  • No. 78 - see original in OLL Library
  • No. 84 - see original in OLL Library
• Hamilton’s Speech in the Constitutional Convention (James Madison’s version) (6/18/1787) - see original in OLL Library
• Hamiton, Conjectures on the Convention (September 1787) - see original in OLL Library
• Hamilton, Continentalist
  • No. 1 - see original in OLL Library
  • No. 4. - see original in OLL Library

Session 3

[See the packet of readings for this session.]

• Jefferson, “Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank" (2/15/1791) - see original in OLL Library
• Hamilton, “Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank” (2/23/1791) - see original in OLL Library

Session 4

[See the packet of readings for this session.]

• Jefferson, “Opinion on the French Treaties" (4/28/1793) - see original in OLL Library
• Jefferson, “Some Thoughts on Treaties: to James Monroe" (6/17/1785) - see original in OLL Library
• Hamilton, “Draft of a Defense of the Neutrality Proclamation" (May 1793) - see original in OLL Library
• Washington to Hamilton (Cabinet Paper), April 18, 1793.
• Hamilton to Washington (Cabinet Paper), April, 1793
• Hamilton to Washington, My 2, 1793

Session 5

[See the packet of readings for this session.]

• Jefferson, “Report on the Privileges and Restrictions on the Commerce of the United States in Foreign Countries" (12/16/1793) - see original in OLL Library
• Hamilton, “Crisis with Great Britain” (4/14/1794) - see original in OLL Library

Session 6

[See the packet of readings for this session.]

• Jefferson, “Steppingstone to Monarchy: To the President of the United States" (5/23/1792) - see original in OLL Library
• Jefferson, “The Conflict with Hamilton: To the President of the United States" (9/9/1792) - see original in OLL Library
• Hamilton to
  • Washington (8/18/1792) - see original in OLL Library
  • Washington (9/9/1792) - see original in OLL Library
  • Col. Edward Carrington, May 26, 1792.
• Washington to
  • Hamilton (7/29/1792) - see original in OLL Library
  • Thomas Jefferson (8/23/1792) - see original in OLL Library
• Hamilton (8/26/1792) - see original in OLL Library