Hello! I haven't been active here for a while, and this idea randomly popped into my head. I apologize for any historical inaccuracies, but, then again, it's a fanfiction, none of this stuff actually happened, besides, even the musical had a few slips. This is more based of historical events then the musical, but it also is based of the musical, so, here you go. My favorite rivalry in Hamilton is Jefferson and Hamilton, so this is what's kind of portrayed here. Happy reading!
"Alright, let's begin." Why he even uttered those words was beyond him. Washington could tell from the very look at Jefferson and Alexander that this meeting was not going to go well.
He supposed it was his own fault, that they rarely accomplished anything in Cabinet Meetings, seeing as he seemed to have picked the most dedicated Federalist and Anti-Federalist the nation had to offer. Ah, the nation. America...So young...So new. Every step they made would decide the fate of the entire country for centuries. So, no pressure there.
"Sir?" Washington was snapped out of his thoughts by the young brown-haired Alexander Hamilton, who was looking at him sideways. He was well dressed, as always, but there was a small stain on the side of his pants, probably a child's handprint. George wouldn't have been surprised, Alexander seemed to have his hands full with four kids, and another on the way. Alex's family had come to visit for a month or so, and Alexander constantly complained of his children's behavior, but his eyes were always sparking when he did, and Washington knew that he really did admire each and every one of his kids. Washington found himself slightly envious though. He had never had any biological children. Only his dear wife, Martha's, children. But that wasn't relevant at the moment. Knowing Hamilton and Jefferson though, almost anything could become relevant in the next hour or so.
"Oh, yes, today's topic, the North continues to rebel against slavery, it's a small amount, but they are still decreeing for government support…" He went on with the problem and saw Knox, his Secretary Of War let out a small sigh, while Randolph looked annoyed. Jefferson and Hamilton were glaring at each other, already knowing well the opinion of the other on the subject, as this was not the first time it had arisen. And, Alexander wasn't exactly a quiet man. Along with Jefferson who had very little tolerance for the first, and was not afraid to give the younger man a piece of his mind.
It was days like these that Washington knew he'd spend the next few hours seriously contemplating his choice of cabinet. For one, Alexander had strode in, already looking furious. Alexander had recently become very accustomed to the joys of parenthood of which included illness, injury, whining, and occasionally dying, from what George had picked up from his conversations with him. Parenthood had been something that Washington had been blessed with. Though none of his children were biological, he had helped Martha raise her children from her previous marriage. And had done a pretty good job with it, if he did say so himself. Most likely one of Alex's children had done something idiotic, or were ill again, as that seemed to happen frequently, though one would expect it, seeing as he had four small kids. Or his wife could be mad at him. Alexander and Eliza didn't usually engage in petty squabbles with each other, unlike Washington's expectations from seeing Alexander and Jefferson row. But when they did, it was intense, both too stubborn to admit that they were wrong.
With Alex in a bad mood, George didn't really expect to get anything worthwhile done. But things had gone even farther downhill when Jefferson had arrived. Jefferson, who was close enough to his age, closer then Alexander at least, had also walked through the door in a storm, muttering something under his breath about "idiotic" Federalists. That was all Washington caught. And all he needed to know, to infer that this meeting would go terribly. Randolph and Knox, at least, didn't seem prone to causing any problems. They at least didn't usually cause trouble.
"Uh…" Washington faltered at whose opinion he would ask first. Looking to Jefferson before Alexander would most likely infuriate the latter. But if Alexander went first, he would likely say something offensive and set of Jefferson. What a great way to start a meeting that would be.
"Randolph," He decided. Edmund Randolph looked shocked for a second to be asked of first, but regained composure.
"I for one, Mr. President, believe strongly in slave liberation…" He continued, and Washington listened to him carefully, noticing the approving look from Alexander, and the un-professional eye-rolls from Knox and Jefferson. The five men were seated in a large room, that they often used for Cabinet Meetings, around a wooden table. Washington was at the head of the table, and Alexander Hamilton was to his right, Randolph next to him, across from Randolph was Knox, and next to Knox, across from Hamilton...Was Jefferson. It was Washington's own effort to separate them, but still leave them with enough room to maybe get along. So far, that hadn't worked out very well.
"In conclusion, that is why slavery should be stopped at once, and why we should support the North!" Randolph concluded, sitting back down, ignoring the glares he received from Jefferson and Knox.
Washington gave Edmund Randolph a nod.
"Thank you, Randolph…" Then scanned the remaining members of the cabinet. Knox, Jefferson, and of course, Hamilton. He sighed. Oh well, might as well get this over with, and looked specifically at Alexander.
"Hamilton," He invited. Hamilton sharply stood up, and Washington found himself at the sudden center of one angry look, and two annoyed ones. Didn't take a genius to figure out who sent which, out of Jefferson, Knox, and Randolph.
"Thank you, Your Excellency," Hamilton began, his usual swagger portrayed in his voice, even though he was standing stone-still and rigidly. Jefferson gave a loud, purposefully audible, Washington assumed, sigh. Jefferson had never liked it when Hamilton turned to high titles for Washington, and saw Hamilton as a suck-up. He had even called him that on multiple occasions when Washington was within earshot.
"Proceed, Alexander," Washington ordered, still a bit embarrassed at being referred to by that, even after 2 or so years. Jefferson let out another annoyed huff, and Washington was confused, nothing else had been said, what was he ticked off by now?
"I thought this was strictly professional, Mr. President," Jefferson regarded coolly. Washington raised his brow. Ah.
"Very well then, proceed, Hamilton," He tried again, receiving a look of approval from Jefferson. Washington would have rolled his eyes, if he were not the president, and trying to act maturely, in hopes of sending the slightest bit of influence to Jefferson and Alexander. He liked both men, he really did, but they would be the death of him.
"Once again, thank you, Your Excellency," Alexander continued, his voice strained with the slightest hint of anger. Oh, so he was irked this early on. That was a recipe for disaster. Then again, Washington told himself, he rarely had ever had a Cabinet Meeting go smoothly, so what had he been expecting?
"Slavery is not only an immoral choice, and yes, Jefferson, it is a choice, but it is also an entirely un-economic decision to continue out." Alex started. Washington could tell from Jefferson's face that he was already closing his mind to the slight possibility that Hamilton could be right, and instead was searching for loopholes in his political enemy's argument. It was an expression that George Washington had become ever so used to on the faces of Jefferson, Hamilton, and that of many ignorant others. An expression that would ultimately divide their country someday, if it wasn't already, Washington predicted.
"That's ridiculous, the South relies on slavery, without slaves what is the South? Think of how many good men would lose everything?!" Jefferson defended, inches close from standing up.
"Jefferson, stay seated, you will get your chance to talk," Washington carefully advised. Jefferson looked outraged, but followed the president's orders, and remained sitting.
"Oh really, Jefferson, think of this, many good men, slaves, have lost everything, and spend their days condemned to a fate worse than death!" Hamilton shot back, his voice dripping with anger, and his eyes blazing.
"They're just Negro's!" Jefferson replied, causing Hamilton to cross his arms.
"The Constitution states that every man is created equal…" Hamilton tried, only to be, once again, interrupted.
"Again, they're Negro's, not men. Besides, when we're talking about true American men, are you really one to qualify?" Jefferson countered. Washington was about to intervene, but Alexander jumped to his own defense.
"I am an American citizen, thank you very much, Jefferson, and as much as I would love to argue with you, I've found talking to you is a waste of time, which is quite limited as it is. As I was saying, Releasing the slaves would have a positive effect on the economy, which is my specialty, Jefferson. Slaves are already hard-working individuals and work for little or no money. If you are unwilling to look at the humane aspect of this matter, at least consider this, slaves will work for little pay, if set free, just so they can find a place in the country and provide for their families. More thoroughly explaining this, for those unable of comprehending anything past basic matters, Jefferson, slaves will work for little money, and this will support white workers." Alexander sat down, finished, for the moment, and Washington could feel his mouth twitching, of course, Alex would have a comeback.
"Thank you, Hamilton, now, Jefferson?" He addressed. Jefferson promptly stood up, probably having been thinking up his response for the entirety of Randolph and Hamilton's opinion.
"Thank you, Mr. President," Jefferson acknowledged, glaring daggers at Hamilton.
"Now, Hamilton has presented the economic reason for liberating slaves, but, you must take the other aspects regarding the economy into regards. The entire South is made up of slavery, as you would know, Mr. President, as you came from Virginia, and, don't take this the wrong way, but don't you own a few slaves. Slaves may be willing to work for little, but this way they work for nothing - " It was Hamilton's turn to cut into the others conversation.
"But, sir, it's inhumane!" He stood up abruptly.
"Hamilton, don't interrupt," Washington warned, and the young man sat back down, gritting his teeth.
"Continue Jefferson," Washington waved his hand.
"As I was saying, without slavery, there will be no South. And very little want slavery to end, we'd be met with riots, which is exactly what we don't need!" Jefferson presented. Though he was brief, Washington couldn't but agree with him, and looked sympathetically at Hamilton.
"Knox?" He inquired, and the Secretary Of War shook his head.
"You've heard both sides, sir...And I would hate to be on the opposing end of anyone…" Knox's eyes flickered in the direction of Hamilton and Jefferson.
"I understand, Knox...More then you would know…" George grumbled the last part under his breath, inaudible to the Cabinet.
"Now," Washington looked at Hamilton. The proud man was sitting straight as possible, his shoulders squared, and his gaze determined.
"Hamilton, I see your side of the issue, but I'm afraid I must agree with Jefferson, there would-be rebels, and some might fight to keep their slaves. We would be going up against ourselves, others of our own country, and we simply cannot afford that. Besides, the South does rely on slavery, coming from Virginia myself, I know that," Washington explained. Hamilton's shoulder dropped, and Jefferson's eyes widened, surprised on actually winning one of the arguments for once.
"Yes, sir," Alexander growled.
"Thank you, Hamilton, Jefferson, Randolph, and Knox, since we have no others to address, I suppose you are all dismissed." Washington declared, standing up. Both Randolph and Knox left in a hurry, while Jefferson and Hamilton dawdled a little.
"Don't you know who we are, let us through?!" George Washington's head swiveled at the sound of a little girl's voice, and, sure enough, Angelica Hamilton strode into the room, followed by a sprinting Philip.
"Angelica, wait up!" Both children halted in front of Alex, who was looking at them, surprised.
Washington raised his brow. He had known that Alexander's family had come to visit, but wasn't entirely sure what Hamilton's two eldest were doing here. Jefferson simply looked gleeful and opportunistic, probably trying to come up with another way to destroy Hamilton's reputation. Jefferson thenlooked directly at Angelica, who was flitting her hand in a very un-lady-like manor, and Washington was now entirely sure that that's what he was thinking. He'd have to talk with him later.
"Okay, okay, why are you two here?!" Alexander gripped Angelica by the shoulder to get her to shut up. Philip and Angelica both began chattering at once, which turned into an argument of some sort.
"Mother told me to come to get you, since you were supposed to be done with work! But Mother told her to say home! She followed me out!"
"I GOT permission!"
"Did not! She wanted you to help with the baby"
"Did too!" Jefferson smirked, and leaned over to Washington's ear.
"Looks like the children are just as disciplined as their father." Washington frowned at that.
"I personally find them engaging children, besides, aren't we supposed to be taking things professionally?" He defended. Jefferson scoffed.
"I do believe, Mr. President, that once children are involved, nothing is professional." Alexander's face flushed red, having picked up on this conversation, and he scrambled to address his children.
"Philip?" He focused on his eldest first.
"Yes, sir?" Philip replied.
"Be quiet, you're old enough to know not to argue with a girl." Alex reminded him, and Jefferson looked at Hamilton in disbelief. The man who would probably pick a fight with a stump was lecturing his son on not fighting.
"Yes,' sir…" Philip grumbled.
"And don't grumble, keep your head up," Alexander instructed, lifting up Philip's chin with his hand.
"There, that's the man I know." Philip looked absolutely delighted at being called a man.
"And...Angelica," Alex turned to the defiant little girl, who stared at him fiercely, her father reflected so clearly in her eyes. Washington had only met the girl once or twice but was shocked at how much her spirit resembled Alexander. She was lady-like, when it suited her, but could definitely come out on top of any argument. She and Philip were quite close, and Alexander had once spoken to him about having to literally take Angelica from Philip's room at night, and how the children had begged to sleep in the same room, but for obvious reasons, Eliza had refused. Alex spoke adoringly of his daughter, and proudly of his son. All in all, Alexander had definitely been blessed when it came to his oldest's. But of course, when two children were close, they always argued.
"Yes?" Angelica responded, not once breaking eye contact with her father.
"Next time your mother tells you to stay home, I expect you to listen. You are to mind your mother, are you not?" Alex told her, and Angelica sighed, nodding.
"Yes, sir." Then, she ran over to Philip and hugged him, apparently entirely unaware, or just didn't care, that her father's boss and co-worker/political enemy were in the room. She ran over to her father's side, and clutched his hand, prompting Philip to take Alexander's other.
Hamilton grinned at Washington guiltily.
"I really am sorry, Your Excellency, I'll see that it doesn't happen again." He apologized, Philip, peering cautiously at Washington from behind Alex's leg.
"It's alright, Alexander," Washington assured, smiling as Hamilton walked out, still holding both of his children's hands. Jefferson was making some sort of remark to this, but Washington wasn't listening.
"That's enough, Jefferson." Jefferson gave a small growl and followed Hamilton out.
Washington shook his head. Oh, Jefferson and Hamilton would always be at one another's throats. But maybe. Just maybe...There was hope for the next generation.