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64
HAMILTON

Hamilton.
That is exactly ——

Monroe.
Their claims have passed into other hands, sold for a song.

Hamilton.
[c.] But the claims remain—and a promise to pay is a promise to pay.

Jefferson.
[Rising and with firmness.] Citizen Hamilton, I am pledged to the people.

Monroe.
We cannot pick the pockets of the man who trusts us in order to pay another man's debts.

Hamilton.
Gentlemen, this is repudiation—the last stage of national humiliation.

Jefferson.
I have tried to see your point of view. Citizen Monroe has tried to see it.

Monroe.
Yes, I've tried.

[Turning away to r., impatiently.

Jefferson.
You have appealed to Congress many times, and have always been defeated.