Hamilton wrote A defence of the Treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation; entered into between the United States of America & Great Britain in January of 1795.  It was a series of 38 arguments for the Jay Treaty.  Read the entire thing at the Online Library of Liberty.  It’s pretty long.  I’m sure Hamilton blunted many quills, but it is a good thing to read.

Hamilton argues that countries make choices in self-interest.  “Nothing can be more erroneous, than the opinion that any nation is likely to yield up its own interest, in order, gratuitously, to advance that of another. Yet we frequently hear declarations of this kind, and too many honest citizens have surrendered themselves to this delusion; time and experience will cure us of this folly.” He says that France’s goal is to get the young United States to support the French war effort and eventually get involved in that effort.  Hamilton thinks that getting involved in war would be a disaster for the United States.  He ends his defense with this statement: “There would be no security at home, no respectability abroad. Our constitutional charter would become a dead letter. The organ of our government for foreign affairs would be treated with derision whenever he should hereafter talk of negotiation or treaty. May the great Ruler of nations avert from our country so grievous a calamity!” Even Jefferson, Hamilton’s political enemy, was impressed by the effort to defend the Jay Treaty.

*“Back in the day” refers to a historical time.  In this case I am speaking about Revolutionary America.  However, you can also use “back in the day” to talk about when you were younger.  Example: “Remember back in the day when I liked peanut butter and jelly with the crusts cut off?”
*Have seen both “Dogood” and “Dogwood” in reference to Benjamin Franklin.