_facing_ 98

From a painting by St. Memin, in the possession of
Harper's granddaughter, Mrs. William C. Pennington,
Baltimore, Md.

Autograph from a MS. in the New York Public
Library, Lenox Building.

ALEXANDER J. DALLAS _facing_ 236

From the original painting by Gilbert Stuart, in the
possession of Mrs. W. H. Emory, Washington, D. C.

Autograph from the Chamberlain collection, Boston
Public Library.

JAMES A. BAYARD _facing_ 312

From a painting by Wertmueller, owned by the late
Thomas F. Bayard, Wilmington, Del.

Autograph from the Chamberlain collection, Boston
Public Library.

ALBERT GALLATIN

CHAPTER I

EARLY LIFE

Of all European-born citizens who have risen to fame in the political
service of the United States, Albert Gallatin is the most distinguished.
His merit in legislation, administration, and diplomacy is generally
recognized, and he is venerated by men of science on both continents.
Not, however, until the publication of his writings was the extent of
his influence upon the political life and growth of the country other
than a vague tradition. Independence and nationality were achieved by
the Revolution, in which he bore a slight and unimportant part; his
place in history is not, therefore, among the founders of the Republic,
but foremost in the rank of those early American statesmen, to whom it
fell to interpret and administer the organic laws which the founders
declared and the people ratified in the Constitution of the United
States. A study of his life shows that, from the time of the peace until
his death, his influence, either by direct action or indirect counsel,
may be traced through the history of the country.

The son of Jean Gallatin and his wife, Sophie Albertine Rollaz, he was
born in the city of Geneva on January 29, 1761, and was baptized by the
name of Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin. The name Abraham he received
from his grandfather, but it was early dropped, and he was always known
by his matronymic Albert. The Gallatin family held great influence in
the Swiss Republic, and from the organization of the State contributed
numerous members to its magistracy; others adopted the military
profession, and served after the manner of their country in the Swiss
contingents of foreign armies. The immediate relatives of Albert
Gallatin were concerned in trade. Abraham, his grandfa