Mr Jefferson is Coming Home (Jamilton)

Chapter 4

"The issue on the table," President Washington introduced the topic to the Cabinet members, "Secretary Hamilton's plan to assume state debt and establish a national bank. Secretary Jefferson," he added then, turning to the Secretary of State, "you have the floor, sir."

Jefferson cleared his throat and then stood up, charming everyone in the room with one of his bright smiles.

'Stupid show-off,' Hamilton thought, staring at those beautiful lips one second too much. His being so captivating only made him angrier.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," Jefferson quoted from his Declaration of Independence. "With these words we clarified to England, and to every other country, that we would never again be subjugate by their oppressive governments. Well, now we cannot allow our own government to assume the whole state's debt, if we don't want to repeat the same mistake of the said countries! We –

"We will never be a country, you moron, if we don't manage our economic crisis first! We need to be aggressive and competitive; we need a strong, central government to control the banks!"

Jefferson placed his hands on his heart and opened his eyes wide, pretending to be hurt by Hamilton's words. "Darling, we can all already see who will benefit from this. Place your bets!" He laughed, looking at the other Cabinet members, "this financial plan is unconstitutional and it only has two objects: to exclude popular understanding and inquiry, while working as a machine for the corruption of the legislature!"

He sat down again, and a general murmur of agreement surrounded his figure.

"This is right," someone said, "think about the South – their economy is agricultural, there will be no benefit for them!"

Madison smiled.

"Gentlemen, we have acquired almost eighty millions in debts. We must establish the banks; it cannot be considered as unconstitutional when it's the only way to prevent the crumble of our own nation," Alexander hissed through his teeth. And then, looking at Jefferson straight in the eyes, he added, "who talks most about freedom and equality? Is it not those who hold the bill of rights in one hand and a whip for affrighted slaves in the other?"

Jefferson felt his blood boiling in his veins. This little bastard was still talking about slavery, while promoting a plan that would leave millions of people in misery. He ground his teeth and stood up, towering above Hamilton with a threatening look. Alexander was not unfamiliar with physical confrontation; first of all, he had fought in a goddamn war, and, most importantly, he had the bad habit of making people angry. He had already taken part in several duels too. He looked at Jefferson: his cocky smile was gone. He was actually quite intimidating, with his commanding figure and his fierce look. And hot. 'What?' Alexander pushed the thought away, while rising his fists to confront Jefferson, 'why would I think such a senseless thing?!'

"Enough!" Washington roared. "Gentlemen, calm yourself now. Hamilton," he cast a harsh look at him, "a word."

"You don't have the votes," Madison muttered when Hamilton walked past him. Once out of the door, Alex heard Jefferson's annoying chuckling and, seeing red once more, he angrily stamped towards Washington's office.

"Are you going to pull yourself together?" Washington looked concerned – the national debt was bad, they didn't have time to quarrel over it.

"I'm sorry, but we can't let the South decide for the wealth of the whole Nation," Alexander replied sharply. "We need to push forward with the plan, with or without congressional approval."

"No way," the President shook his head. "You need the votes. Find a compromise, Alexander, or they'll call for your removal."

***

Alexander bade him goodbye and strode out on the street. He didn't know what to do – he didn't feel like going home to Eliza, she was still thrilled about their summer plans and he wanted to stay alone and grumpy. He searched his pockets and pulled out a small piece of half-crumpled paper. Alex read the letter in silence, and then whispered the final words to himself;

'While circumstances place so great a distance between us, I entreat you not to withdraw the consolation of your letters. You know the unalterable sentiments of your affectionate Laurens.'

Alexander held the letter to his chest, the usual feeling of despair invading his whole body. John would have known how to cheer him, he'd always known how to make him laugh. Like that time when the Congress hadn't sent the provisions they had been waiting for weeks – he had been so angry and upset, but John had held him tight the whole night, kissing every inch of his face and whispering kind and loving words to his ear. But then he'd been sent to South Carolina, and he'd never returned.

Tears were streaming on his face, when a deep voice interrupted his sad train of thoughts.

"Hamilton, why are you still – oh my!" Jefferson was taken aback by what he saw. "Alexander – are you all right?"

Alexander seemed to suddenly realize that he was still standing in the middle of the street. For a moment, he faced Jefferson with a lost look – Thomas only needed half a second to drown into his eyes, God, they were terribly beautiful – and then turned around and started to march away from him. Thomas easily reached him in three strides, he was taller than Hamilton and his long legs didn't have any problem in keeping the shorter man's pace.

"Hey," he put his hand on Hamilton's shoulder –

"Don't touch me!" Alex hissed, a look of pure hatred on his face. "What do you want, Jefferson? Because if you want to reassume the fight, I'm ready."

"What is your problem?" Thomas was shocked. "I just wanted to help, you idiot!"

"Well you can't! First of all, you're a fucking asshole, and then you wouldn't understand, you've never lost anyone!" Alex turned and walked away – but not before seeing Thomas's grieved face.

Shit, he'd done it again, talking too hastily without thinking. Well, it was too late now to take his words back and he didn't want Jefferson see him in his state. So he kept walking until he reached the corner of the street, where he glanced back. Jefferson's magenta figure was walking away, his head high as usual. Alexander turned around the corner and started running home.

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Notes:

I've put some sentences really used by Jefferson and Hamilton in their lives, if you're interested, these are the links:

Declaration of Independence: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript [We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness]

Jefferson on Hamilton's financial plan: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_MAY7sx5IBloC/page/n34/mode/2up [It had two objects; 1st, like a puzzle, to exclude popular understanding and inquiry; 2nd, as a machine for the corruption of the legislature]

Hamilton on slavery: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7675244-who-talks-most-about-freedom-and-equality-is-it-not [Who talks most about freedom and equality? Is it not those who hold the bill of rights in one hand and a whip for affrighted slaves in the other?]

The letter from Laurens: https://founders.archives.gov/?q=laurens%20Author%3A%22Laurens%2C%20John%22%20Recipient%3A%22Hamilton%2C%20Alexander%22&s=1111311111&r=9 [While circumstances place so great a distance between us, I entreat you not to withdraw the consolation of your letters. You know the unalterable sentiments of your affectionate Laurens]