the anti-republican party." On January 31, 1795 Hamilton resigned from his position of Secretary of the Treasury and returned tothe practice of law in New York. Despite his resignation, Hamilton remained Washington's chief advisorthrough a continual interchange of letters between the two men. Typical of the relationship, Hamiltonwrote Washington's Farewell Address in 1796. Two years later, Hamilton returned to military service at the age of forty-three. Here, he served as activehead of the army under Washington that was organized for the impending war with France. Washingtonhimself insisted that Hamilton serve in that position as a condition of accepting the position. Hamiltonserved from July 25, 1798 to June 2, 1800. After the death of George Washington, the leadership of the Federalist Party became divided betweenJohn Adams and Hamilton. John Adams had the prestige from his varied and great career and from hisgreat strength with the people. Conversely, Hamilton controlled practically all of the leaders of lesser rankand the greater part of the most distinguished men in the country. Hamilton, by himself, was not a leader for the population. Hamilton himself once said that his heart was ever the master of his judgment. He was indiscreet in utterance, impolitic in management, opinionated, self-confident, and uncompromising in nature and methods. Three times Hamilton used the political fortunes of John Adams in presidential elections as a mere hazard in his maneuvers. After Adams became President Hamilton constantly advised the members of the cabinet and endeavored to control Adams's policy. On the eve of the presidential election of 1800, Hamilton wrote a bitter personal attack on the president tha...
