# Alexander Hamilton — The Federalist Papers character guide > Alexander Hamilton in The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hamilton, Colonel Hamilton, Alexander, the Present Confederation Hamilton, Members Hamilton, the Executive Hamilton **First appearance:** 0001-the-text-of-the-federalist ## Snapshot The driving force behind the Federalist essays, Hamilton writes with a soldier's urgency about energy in government and the perils of a weak confederation. ## Who they are Hamilton is the project's engine and its most relentless advocate, the man who recruited co-authors, set the pace, and later forbade anyone from altering a word of the original text. His distinctive tension is between conviction and control: he wants the argument to stand as written, as if the essays themselves were a kind of constitutional precedent. In the early and middle papers he presses hardest on executive power, appointments, and the machinery that makes a government actually govern, shaping the arc from diagnosis of confederation's failures toward the design of a working Union. ## Relationships ### [The Senate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/the_senate) _professional_ Hamilton argues for a strong, independent Senate as a necessary check on popular passions in the proposed government. ### [Cleomenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/cleomenes) _psychological_ Hamilton cites Cleomenes as a cautionary example of a demagogue who manipulated the people to destroy a balanced government. ### [Publius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/publius) _friendship_ Publius is the collective pseudonym for Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, representing their unified authorship of the essays. ### [Philip of Macedon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/philip_of_macedon) _psychological_ Hamilton uses Philip of Macedon as a rhetorical tool to warn against the dangers of foreign influence and internal division. ### [The Judges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/the_judges) _professional_ Hamilton defends the lifetime tenure and independence of federal judges as essential for impartial justice and constitutional limits. ### [The Achaeans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/the_achaeans) _social_ Hamilton uses the Achaean League as a historical example of a successful federal republic that preserved local autonomy. ### [Congress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/congress) _professional_ Hamilton argues for the necessity of a strong, energetic Congress with broad powers to govern effectively. ### [James Madison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/james_madison) _friendship_ Hamilton and Madison collaborated closely as co-authors of The Federalist Papers, despite later political disagreements. ## In the story ### [The Text of the Federalist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/the-text-of-the-federalist) One of the principal authors of The Federalist; opposed textual alterations and likely approved the McLean edition numbering. ### [The Federalist Papers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/the-federalist-papers) Primary author of many of the essays, including those on the necessity of union and energetic government. ### [General Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/i-general-introduction) The actual author of this first paper, writing under the pseudonym Publius. ### [II: Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/ii-concerning-dangers-from-foreign-force-and-influence) As Publius, Hamilton is the likely author of this paper, though Jay is credited; the paper reflects Hamilton's strong unionist views. ### [VI: Concerning Dangers from Dissensions Between the States](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/vi-concerning-dangers-from-dissensions-between-the-states) The actual writer of this Federalist Paper, arguing against disunion and partial confederacies. ### [VII: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers from Dissensions Between the States)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/vii-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-dangers-from-dissensions-between-the-states) Actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing under the pseudonym Publius. ### [VIII: The Consequences of Hostilities Between the States](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/viii-the-consequences-of-hostilities-between-the-states) The likely author of this paper, writing as Publius to persuade New Yorkers to ratify the Constitution. ### [IX: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/ix-the-union-as-a-safeguard-against-domestic-faction-and-insurrection) Likely author of this paper, writing as Publius to advocate for ratification. ### [XI: The Utility of the Union in Respect to Commercial Relations and a Navy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xi-the-utility-of-the-union-in-respect-to-commercial-relations-and-a-navy) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, emphasizing the commercial and naval benefits of union. ### [XII: The Utility of the Union in Respect to Revenue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xii-the-utility-of-the-union-in-respect-to-revenue) Primary author of this Federalist Paper, focusing on revenue and commerce. ### [XIII: Advantage of the Union in Respect to Economy in Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xiii-advantage-of-the-union-in-respect-to-economy-in-government) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, emphasizing fiscal efficiency. ### [XV: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xv-the-insufficiency-of-the-present-confederation-to-preserve-the-union) The likely author of this paper, presenting a detailed critique of the Confederation's weaknesses. ### [XVI: The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xvi-the-same-subject-continued-the-insufficiency-of-the-present-confederation-to-preserve-the-union) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, arguing for a stronger national government. ### [XVII: The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xvii-the-same-subject-continued-the-insufficiency-of-the-present-confederation-to-preserve-the-union) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, writing under the pseudonym Publius to advocate for ratification. ### [XIX: The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xix-the-same-subject-continued-the-insufficiency-of-the-present-confederation-to-preserve-the-union) Co-author of this paper, contributing to the analysis of the Germanic confederacy's failures. ### [The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xx-the-same-subject-continued-the-insufficiency-of-the-present-confederation-to-preserve-the-union) Co-author of this paper, contributing to the argument for a stronger union. ### [XXI: Other Defects of the Present Confederation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxi-other-defects-of-the-present-confederation) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, critiquing the Confederation. ### [XXII: The Same Subject Continued (Other Defects of the Present Confederation)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxii-the-same-subject-continued-other-defects-of-the-present-confederation) Primary author of this Federalist Paper, detailing the defects of the Confederation. ### [XXIII: The Necessity of a Government as Energetic as the One Proposed to the Preservation of the Union](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxiii-the-necessity-of-a-government-as-energetic-as-the-one-proposed-to-the-preservation-of-the-union) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, presenting the case for an energetic federal government. ### [XXIV: The Powers Necessary to the Common Defense Further Considered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxiv-the-powers-necessary-to-the-common-defense-further-considered) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, defending the proposed Constitution's military provisions. ### [XXV: The Same Subject Continued (The Powers Necessary to the Common Defense Further Considered)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxv-the-same-subject-continued-the-powers-necessary-to-the-common-defense-further-considered) The actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius to advocate for ratification. ### [XXVI: The Idea of Restraining the Legislative Authority in Regard to the Common Defense Considered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxvi-the-idea-of-restraining-the-legislative-authority-in-regard-to-the-common-defense-considered) Writes as Publius, arguing against restrictions on legislative authority for common defense. ### [XXVII: The Same Subject Continued (The Idea of Restraining the Legislative Authority in Regard to the Common Defense Considered)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxvii-the-same-subject-continued-the-idea-of-restraining-the-legislative-authority-in-regard-to-the-common-defense-considered) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, arguing for the efficacy of the proposed government without military coercion. ### [XXVIII: The Same Subject Continued (The Idea of Restraining the Legislative Authority in Regard to the Common Defense Considered)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxviii-the-same-subject-continued-the-idea-of-restraining-the-legislative-authority-in-regard-to-the-common-defense-considered) Primary author of this Federalist Paper, arguing for federal military power. ### [Federalist No. 29: Concerning the Militia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxix-concerning-the-militia) Primary author of this paper, writing as Publius to advocate for federal control over the militia. ### [XXX: Concerning the General Power of Taxation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxx-concerning-the-general-power-of-taxation) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, arguing for a general power of taxation. ### [The Same Subject Continued (Concerning the General Power of Taxation)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxxi-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-the-general-power-of-taxation) The likely author of this paper, writing as Publius to defend the Constitution's taxation provisions. ### [XXXII: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning the General Power of Taxation)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxxii-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-the-general-power-of-taxation) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, defending the Constitution's taxation provisions. ### [XXXIII: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning the General Power of Taxation)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-the-general-power-of-taxation) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, defending the Constitution's taxation provisions. ### [XXXIV: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning the General Power of Taxation)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-the-general-power-of-taxation) The actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius. ### [XXXV: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning the General Power of Taxation)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxxv-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-the-general-power-of-taxation) Primary author of this Federalist Paper, presenting economic and political arguments for broad federal taxation. ### [XXXVI: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning the General Power of Taxation)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-the-general-power-of-taxation) The actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing under the pseudonym Publius. ### [LIX: Concerning the Power of Congress to Regulate the Election of Members](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lix-concerning-the-power-of-congress-to-regulate-the-election-of-members) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, defending the Constitution's election regulation clause. ### [LX: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning the Power of Congress to Regulate the Election of Members)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lx-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-the-power-of-congress-to-regulate-the-election-of-members) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, arguing for federal control of election regulations. ### [LXI: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning the Power of Congress to Regulate the Election of Members)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxi-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-the-power-of-congress-to-regulate-the-election-of-members) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius. ### [LXV: The Powers of the Senate Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxv-the-powers-of-the-senate-continued) Writes as Publius, defending the constitutional design for impeachment trials. ### [LXVI: Objections to the Power of the Senate to Set as a Court for Impeachments Further Considered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxvi-objections-to-the-power-of-the-senate-to-set-as-a-court-for-impeachments-further-considered) The actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius. ### [LXVII: The Executive Department](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxvii-the-executive-department) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius. ### [LXVIII: The Mode of Electing the President](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxviii-the-mode-of-electing-the-president) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, arguing for the Electoral College. ### [The Real Character of the Executive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxix-the-real-character-of-the-executive) The actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius to clarify the real character of the executive. ### [LXX: The Executive Department Further Considered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxx-the-executive-department-further-considered) The actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius. ### [LXXI: The Duration in Office of the Executive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxi-the-duration-in-office-of-the-executive) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, advocating for executive independence. ### [LXXII: The Same Subject Continued, and Re-Eligibility of the Executive Considered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxii-the-same-subject-continued-and-re-eligibility-of-the-executive-considered) The presumed author of this Federalist Paper, advocating for executive re-eligibility. ### [LXXIII: The Provision for the Support of the Executive, and the Veto Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxiii-the-provision-for-the-support-of-the-executive-and-the-veto-power) Likely author of this paper, writing as Publius to advocate for the Constitution. ### [LXXIV: The Command of the Military and Naval Forces, and the Pardoning Power of the Executive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxiv-the-command-of-the-military-and-naval-forces-and-the-pardoning-power-of-the-executive) Implied author; writes under the pseudonym Publius to advocate for the Constitution. ### [LXXV: The Treaty-Making Power of the Executive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxv-the-treaty-making-power-of-the-executive) Implied as the writer of Federalist No. 75, defending the constitutional treaty-making process. ### [LXXVI: The Appointing Power of the Executive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxvi-the-appointing-power-of-the-executive) The actual author of Federalist No. 76, writing under the pseudonym Publius. ### [LXXVII: The Appointing Power Continued and Other Powers of the Executive Considered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxvii-the-appointing-power-continued-and-other-powers-of-the-executive-considered) The actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius to advocate for the proposed Constitution. ### [LXXVIII: The Judiciary Department](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-judiciary-department) Primary author of Federalist No. 78, arguing for judicial independence and life tenure. ### [LXXIX: The Judiciary Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxix-the-judiciary-continued) Attributed as the author of Federalist No. 79, arguing for fixed judicial compensation. ### [LXXX: The Powers of the Judiciary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxx-the-powers-of-the-judiciary) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, advocating for a strong national judiciary. ### [LXXXI: The Judiciary Continued, and the Distribution of the Judicial Authority](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxxi-the-judiciary-continued-and-the-distribution-of-the-judicial-authority) The actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius. ### [LXXXII: The Judiciary Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxxii-the-judiciary-continued) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, writing as Publius to defend the judiciary provisions. ### [LXXXIII: The Judiciary Continued in Relation to Trial by Jury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxxiii-the-judiciary-continued-in-relation-to-trial-by-jury) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, arguing for the Constitution's approach to civil jury trials. ### [LXXXIV: Certain General and Miscellaneous Objections to the Constitution Considered and Answered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxxiv-certain-general-and-miscellaneous-objections-to-the-constitution-considered-and-answered) Likely author of this Federalist Paper, arguing for ratification. ### [LXXXV: Concluding Remarks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxxxv-concluding-remarks) Primary author of this concluding paper, defending the Constitution and urging ratification. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/endnotes) Implied as the author of many of the essays to which these endnotes refer, particularly those on taxation and the militia. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/alexander_hamilton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters