denialandavoidance:

Washington inquired of Morris, “What are we to do with this heavy debt?” Morris replied: “There is but one man in the United States who can tell you; that is, Alexander Hamilton. I am glad you have given me this opportunity to declare to you, the extent of the obligations I am under to him.“

Troup recorded that Washington, immediately after his inauguration “called on Hamilton, and told him it was his intention to nominate him to the charge of the financial department” as soon as it should be organized. Hamilton next day requested Troup to wind up his law practice if he were appointed. Troup, willing to oblige, yet pointed out that abandoning the law for public office would entail a sacrifice for Hamilton’s family. Hamilton readily admitted this but felt he could not refuse the President’s invitation to an assignment in which he “could essentially promote the welfare of the country.“

Earlier, Hamilton had confided to Gouverneur Morris his hope for this opportunity. He dismissed Morris’ remonstrance that the Treasury post, of all others, promised calumny, with the conviction that “it is the situation in which I can do most good.“

– Alexander Hamilton The National Adventure by Broadus Mitchell