Alexander Hamilton and slavery: a closer look at the Founder

Abstract

ABSTRACT An intensive examination of Hamilton’s record on slavery reveals little basis for his current reputation as an antislavery icon, fostered by Ron Chernow’s 2004 biography and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical. During the American Revolution, Hamilton, in an idealistic, antislavery phase, joined John Laurens in proposing to raise slaves for military campaigns, offering them “freedom with their muskets.” Disillusioned after proslavery forces rejected the plan, his abolitionist zeal abated. During the 1780s, as New York’s delegate to Congress and the Constitutional Convention, Hamilton, influenced by devotion to private property rights and desiring a stronger national government, seemingly condoned slavery. Although Hamilton joined the New-York Manumission Society (NYMS) in 1785 and served as its president (a largely ceremonial office) for one year, he was not a leader. In 1801–1802, he refused to cooperate with NYMS in prosecuting Mme. Volunbrun and in emancipating slaves she illegally brought with her from Haiti. He eventually became aloof from NYMS activities, finally contesting its antislavery principles in federal court as attorney for Robert Cuming, a slave trader. Evidently, Hamilton abandoned his youthful Revolutionary-era antislavery idealism and became indifferent toward the cause of abolition, considering slaveholders as property holders entitled to their chattel under common law. Contrary to most scholars’ unproven assumptions that Hamilton vigorously opposed slavery, his indifference to antislavery measures for most of his public career indicates that no Founder would have fought for abolition. Ultimately, only civil war could end slavery.