Colonel Hamilton and Washington on Nicola

Alexander Hamilton

Many Americans who wanted to show their enormous gratitude to George Washington for driving the English from their country thought he should be made their king. Washington always discouraged this line of sentiment and would not even discuss the matter.

Aide to General Washington: Colonel Hamilton, I believe this letter to the Commander should be studied by someone of authority to decide if it should be given any credence.

Colonel Hamilton: Who authors this letter?

George Washington

Aide: The letter is authored by Lewis Nicola. Do you know him, Sir?

Hamilton: He is a Philadelphia Irishman, born in Dublin. I believe he served in the British Army, as many of our fine officers have, before immigrating to America.

Aide: Shall I pass it along to the Commander?

Hamilton: I’ll do that. I want to see what fantastic scheme he has come up with now.

Three days later George Washington is in his office with Colonel Hamilton.

Hamilton: Have you had time to read Nicola’s letter, Sir?

Washington: I have indeed. I’ve known Lewis for several years and I’m constantly surprised at the fecundity of his mind. He is the kind of officer I want at all my important meetings. He does not say what he thinks I want to hear; he does not say what most officers might say. He thinks outside normal parameters.  He will articulate what we all might be interested in hearing had we the leisure and freedom of thought as he. His ideas go outside the circle of traditional thought.

Hamilton: I don’t believe I know that turn of phrase.

Washington: You have read the letter, have you not?

Hamilton: Just a glance really.

Washington: Since your duties are fuller and more pressing than my own, let me tell you what the letter says. Aside from being very long and very Latin, he mentions the dilemma of the armies having fewer funds than necessary in time of war and since all funds have to be approved by congress, we managers have often to make do or simply do without.

Hamilton: It is hardly news around here that we need more money to feed the troops.

Washington: He goes on to say that it might be beneficial for me to become the King of America so that I might be able to assign what is needed to all without the delays and sneers of a congress that no longer would need to be consulted.

Hamilton: Does he mention that the very reason we are at war with Great Britain is that the Crown thinks it is unnecessary to consult with those people he intends to tax?

Washington: (handing the letter to Hamilton) Here, read it and answer it. Remember to strike a note of respect because Nicola was promoted to colonel because he spoke of the philosophical propensities of an enlightened society. Give him my thanks for his confidence in me and tell him that we should both forget about this suggestion. Regardless how slowly shared responsibilities in government may progress, our democratic system is much preferred to the alternative.

The Lewis Nicola letter in a condensed format is as follows.

This war must have shown to all, but to military men in particular the weakness of republicks, and the exertions the army has been able to make by being under a proper head, therefore I little doubt, when the benefits of a mixed government are pointed out and duly considered, but such will be readily adopted; in this case it will, I believe, be uncontroverted that the same abilities which have lead us, through difficulties apparently insurmountable by human power, to victory and glory, those qualities that have merited and obtained the universal esteem and veneration of an army, would be most likely to conduct and direct us in the smoother paths of peace.
Some people have so connected the ideas of tyranny and monarchy as to find it very difficult to separate them, it may therefore be requisite to give the head of such a constitution as I propose, some title apparently more moderate, but if all other things were once adjusted I believe strong argument might be produced for admitting the title of king, which I conceive would be attended with some material advantages.