It will be instructive, consequently, to examine the trend of this Hamiltonian policy, and seek to discover wherein it started the country on the right path, and wherein it sought to commit the national government to a more dubious line of action.
Hamilton's great object as Secretary of the Treasury was that of making the organization of the national finances serve the cause of a constructive national policy.

He wished to strengthen the Federal government by a striking exhibition of its serviceability, and by creating both a strong sentiment and an influential interest in its favor.

To this end he committed the nation to a policy of scrupulous financial honesty, which has helped to make it ever since the mainstay of sound American finance.

He secured the consent of Congress to the recognition at their face value of the debts incurred during the war both by the Confederacy and by the individual states.

He created in the National Bank an efficient fiscal agent for the Treasury Department and a means whereby it could give stability to the banking system of the country.