Hamilton

epub:type="z3998:name-title">Mrs. Reynolds Crossing, turns to Betsy. You won’t leave him, will you? Betsy Please go. Mrs. Reynolds If you only knew more about⁠—women, you’d forgive him. Mrs. Reynolds exits with Schuyler. As she notices Schuyler’s forbidding expression she assumes a nonchalant swagger as she exits. Betsy sinks into chair weeping. Angelica Coming down to Betsy. Did you hear what that woman said? Betsy Yes. Angelica I think God put those words into her mouth for you to hear. Enter Hamilton, L. He carries the Bill on which he has been working. After a moment’s pause. Alexander⁠—Betsy⁠—Hamilton puts his hand up and silences her, looking at Betsy as though to say “Let Betsy speak.” Betsy avoids looking at him and goes off R., hurriedly, as though she feared she might break down. Going to him in tears. Oh, Alexander, you’ve wronged her cruelly, but you stuck to the truth. Hamilton Taking her hands. It’s a great price to pay⁠—but it was the only way⁠—the only way for me. But oh, Angelica⁠ ⁠… I’ve lost Betsy. They move away a little to L. together. Enter Schuyler door R. Schuyler To R. C. Alexander, you’ve got to see these people. There’s a whole crowd waiting for you. Hamilton The wolves are clamoring at the door, eh? Well, they’ll die of overfeeding. Who are they? Schuyler Jefferson, Monroe, Madison⁠— Hamilton Ha! Ha! Of course. Schuyler John Jay, Robert Morris, John Marshall, Robert Livingston, and others besides. Hamilton My friends, too. My friends of yesterday. Well, they are right. Have you seen them? Schuyler Not yet. Zekiel tried to get rid of them, but they seem to be waiting with grim determination in there, and won’t be moved. Hamilton In here? Going toward doors at back. Well, we’ll meet them this way. Turns at doors. You, dear friends, have been my allies⁠—They come to him on either side. I release you and I’ll stand alone⁠—not very strong, morally or physically, but we won’t lose our courage. Angelica, dear girl, you have been too good, too indulgent to me, and not fair to Betsy. Coming down a step or two with her. Go and give her what comfort you can. She will need it⁠—at first. Angelica Goes toward door R. You’ll stay, father? Schuyler Testily, to cover his emotion. Get out, get out! Why should I run away? I’m not a senator, thank God! Exit Angelica, R. Hamilton With hand on door C. Father, after this, I shall disappear. I shall probably go back to the West Indies where I was born. I will write to you. You will hear from me, but you won’t see me. Here’s an end to the Federalist Party, and an end to my ambitions. My home is in ruins, but the honor of my office has been saved. Breaking down. His head drops for a moment on his arms as he holds the handles of the doors. During that moment, Betsy enters R. 1 E. She has taken off her outdoor clothes. She comes forward to Hamilton with outstretched arms. Betsy Alexander? Hamilton Turns to her, amazed; comes down and folds her tenderly in his arms. Betsy! Betsy I thought I could be proud and hard, but I can’t, dear⁠—I can’t. Hamilton Kissing her fervently. My dear one! Kisses her again. Then to Schuyler, who has come down R. of them. Father, will you take Betsy, till this indicating toward C. doors is over? Betsy No, Alexander. Let me stand by you. Hamilton Kisses her hand and she moves down R. He becomes a different man and going up he throws open the great centre doors. The room beyond is brilliantly lighted and the entire scene is lighted up. There is a murmur of conversation. The room beyond is filled with men⁠—about a dozen or more; some are seated. Present are Marshall, Morris, Jay, Jefferson, Monroe, Livingston, Madison, Muhlenburg, etc. Gentlemen, good morning! He bows and they bow to him. I regret that it was necessary for me to keep you waiting, but the publication of the morning paper did not immediately relieve me of my duties as Secretary of the Treasury and I had pressing work. But now, gentlemen, I am here for your consumption. Comes down R. Jefferson comes down C. Monroe behind him to L., Jay to R. inside doors. Others form group in centre at doors. Curtain warning. Jefferson Colonel Hamilton, you see before you political adherents, and political opponents⁠—friends and foes. But I have been requested to act as spokesman, and to express⁠— Hamilton Mr. Jefferson, I know how painful must be the duty which has fallen upon you. Let me relieve you of it. I am glad you are here⁠—both friends and foes. I know the object of your visit. You have come in advance of President Washington’s orders to relieve me of my office. You are justified, and I have no excuses to offer. I am pained and ashamed at this inglorious end of my career. But at least I must still have the courage of my political opinions. Since early morning I have been working to clarify this document. It is the Bill of the Government Assumption of States’ Debts without which this country has no honor. It will now be ignominiously defeated, but it is my conviction that the sense of justice of my opponents will one day compel its adoption, and so, Mr. Jefferson, I deliver it into your hands, sir, for safe keeping. Hands document. Jefferson Without taking document. Alexander Hamilton, you have mistaken our mission. I have been asked to tell you that every man in this room⁠—every man in the Cabinet, every man in the Senate⁠—is anxious to take you by the hand.