Lost Chapters
Alexander and the Virginians: Cobalt Event
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson clashed in George Washington's cabinet in the 1790s over how strong the federal government should be. Hamilton, the Treasury secretary, wanted a powerful national government and a national bank, while Jefferson, the secretary of state, and his ally James Madison wanted limited federal power. Their dispute helped create America's first political parties.
- Cost
- 3 crystals
- Type
- Event · Moment
- Color
- Cobalt (Thinkers & Dreamers)
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Set
- Liberty & Lightning (Set 1)
Counter. Your characters get +1/+1 this turn. Draw a card.
Political rivalry that pitted Caribbean ambition against Southern plantation power in heated cabinet debates.
The real history
Hamilton was the first secretary of the treasury and Washington's most influential adviser, and he became the leader of the Federalists. Jefferson was secretary of state, and with James Madison he led the Republicans, who preferred state authority and a narrow reading of the Constitution.
The first big fight was over debt. In January 1790 Hamilton proposed that the federal government take over the states' Revolutionary War debts. Northern states liked the idea because many of their debts were unpaid, while southern states had already paid much of theirs and Madison opposed the plan. On June 20, 1790, Jefferson hosted Hamilton and Madison for dinner in New York City, and a bargain followed: Madison would stop blocking the debt plan, and Congress would place the new capital on the Potomac River after a ten-year stay in Philadelphia. Congress passed the Residence Act in July and the Funding Act in August.
The next fight was over a national bank. Hamilton argued that the Constitution's implied powers allowed one. Jefferson wrote an opinion in February 1791 arguing for a strict reading that would forbid it. Washington sided with Hamilton.
In 1791 Jefferson and Madison encouraged Philip Freneau to start the National Gazette to push back against Federalist policies, and by 1792 Madison was calling the opposition "Republican." Jay's Treaty with Britain in 1794 angered Republicans even more. In 1796 Washington warned against the harm of party spirit in his Farewell Address, but the split only deepened.
Hamilton left the Treasury in January 1795, and Jefferson was elected president in 1800. Hamilton died in 1804 after a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr.
Sources
- The Compromise of 1790, National Archives, Prologue blog
- Formation of Political Parties, Library of Congress, Creating the United States
- Establishing a Federal Republic, Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson exhibition
- Alexander Hamilton (1789 to 1795), Miller Center, University of Virginia
How the card plays
Alexander and the Virginians costs 3 crystals and is a Cobalt Event. It is a Counter event: your characters get +1/+1 this turn, and you draw a card.
It does three jobs for three crystals, so it is good in a long turn where you have a few characters out. Use it when you want a blow-out in combat, when you need to protect a character from damage, or just to cycle into a fresh card. Alexander Hamilton, Young Hopeful has Swift and gets +1/+1 while Washington is on your side, so it makes an attractive attacker to boost. John Laurens is a 2/1 with Swift, which this card turns into a 3/2 that survives more fights. Hercules Mulligan is another cheap Soldier that benefits from the extra point of health.
- Playable in decks led by Martin Luther King Jr., Neil Armstrong, and by any Traveler Leader whose colors include Cobalt.
- In the Dr. King starter deck (1 copy). Deck code:
LC2-BAABAQICAQMBBAEFAQYBBwEIAQkCCgILAQwBDQIOAg8BEAIRARICEwIUAhUBFgEXARgBGQEaARsBHAEdAR4B3v4 - In the Armstrong starter deck (1 copy). Deck code:
LC2-AQABAQECAQMBBAEFAQYBBwEIAgkCCgILAQwBDQIOAQ8BEAERARICEwIUARUBFgEXARgBGQEaARsBHAIdAR4BfQK1eQ - A deck holds up to 3 copies of this card.
Questions about Alexander and the Virginians
What was the Compromise of 1790?
At a dinner on June 20, 1790, Jefferson, Hamilton and Madison agreed on a deal. Madison would stop blocking federal assumption of state war debts, and in return the capital would be placed on the Potomac River after ten years in Philadelphia.
Related cards
Free in your browser. No download.
Play Alexander and the Virginians free