When Robert Morris sought to procure for Congress, money from abroad, he borrowed large sums through the Patriot, Haym Salomon, “the little friend in Front Street.” So after Washington was elected President, and while he was making up his Cabinet, he visited Robert Morris, and said:-- “The Treasury, Morris, will of course be your berth. After your invaluable services as Financier of the Revolution, no one can pretend to contest the office of Secretary of the Treasury with you.” This flattering offer, Robert Morris promptly declined, adding:-- “But, my dear General, you will be no loser by my declining the Secretaryship of the Treasury, for I can recommend to you a far cleverer fellow than I am, for your minister of finance, in the person of your former aide-de-camp, Colonel Hamilton.” “I always knew Colonel Hamilton to be a man of superior talents,” said Washington, “but never supposed he had any knowledge of finance.” To which Robert Morris replied:-- “He knows everything, sir! To a mind like his, nothing comes amiss.” Washington then appointed Hamilton to be Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton took up his duties. The Country and the States were in debt. He organized the finances of our young and new Nation, putting them upon a sound basis; he provided funds with which to pay the National debt, so that the United States of America “might command the respect of the Nations of the World.” It was Alexander Hamilton who laid the foundations of the financial system of our Republic. JANUARY 17 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN THE AMERICAN SOCRATES _We have reason to be thankful he was so long spared, that the most useful life should be the longest, also that it was protracted so far beyond the ordinary span allotted to man, as to avail us of his wisdom in the establishment of our own Freedom._ THOMAS JEFFERSON OUR COUNTRY _Dr. Benjamin Franklin to General George Washington_ _I must soon quit the scene, but you may live to see our Country flourish, as it will amazingly and rapidly after the War is over; like a field of young Indian Corn, which long fair weather and sunshine had enfeebled and discoloured, and which in that weak state, by a thundergust of violent wind, hail, and rain, seemed to be threatened with absolute destruction; yet the storm being past, it recovers fresh verdure, shoots up with double vigour, and delights the eye not of its owner only, but of every observing traveller._ _March 5, 1780_ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Boston, January 17, 1706 Went to Philadelphia, 1723 Through his diplomacy, France was persuaded to recognize the United States by treaty, February 6, 1778 He signed the Constitution of the United States, 1787 He died in Philadelphia, April 17, 1790 THE WHISTLE TOLD BY FRANKLIN HIMSELF