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Albert Gallatin: Early American Statesman:
In 1780, 19-year-old Albert Gallatin emigrated from Switzerland to the emerging United States of America. Over the next seven decades, Gallatin served his new country as congressman, Secretary of the Treasury, treaty negotiator, ambassador, educator, and scholar.
Although not well-known today, Gallatin played a major role in early American history. Lewis and Clark, while exploring the Louisiana territory in 1804, named the headwater rivers of the Missouri River after three of the most prominent politicians on their time -- Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Albert Gallatin.
"... his personal Character, as well as his personal Designs; entitle him to the most cordial Regards."
-- Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia, March 25, 1785
As Secretary of the Treasury from 1801-1814, Gallatin attempted to balance the budget of the United States while financing eastward expansion.
At Ghent, Belgium, in 1815, Gallatin became the de facto U.S. leader in negotiating the end of the War of 1812. |