Cabinet Battle 1 from
Hamilton An American Musical
Washington:
Ladies and gentlemen, you coulda been
anywhere in the world tonight, but
you're here with us in New York City.
Are you ready for a cabinet meeting?
The issue on the table: Secretary
Hamilton's plan to assume state debt and
establish a national bank. Secretary
Jefferson, you have the floor, sir
Jefferson:
"Life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness."
We fought for these ideals;
we shouldn't settle for less
These are wise words,
enterprising men quote 'em
Don't act surprised, you
guys, 'cause I wrote 'em
Jefferson Madison:
Oww
Jefferson:
But Hamilton forgets
His plan would have the
government assume state's debts
Now, place your bets as
to who that benefits:
The very seat of government
where Hamilton sits
Hamilton:
Not true!
Jefferson:
Ooh, if the shoe fits, wear it
If New York's in debt
Why should Virginia bear it? Uh!
Our debts are paid, I'm afraid
Don't ta the South 'cause
we got it made in the shade
In Virginia, we plant
seeds in the ground
We create. You just wanna
move our money around
This financial plan is
an outrageous demand
And it's too many damn pages
for any man to understand
Stand with me in the land of the free
And pray to God we never
see Hamilton's candidacy
Look, when Britain ta ed
our tea, we got frisky
Imagine what gon' happen when
you try to ta our whisky
Washington:
Thank you, Secretary Jefferson
( Crowd (reacting): That's my alcohol!)
Secretary Hamilton, your response
Hamilton:
Thomas. That was a real nice declaration
Welcome to the present,
we're running a real nation
Would you like to join
us, or stay mellow
Doin' whatever the hell it
is you do in Monticello?
If we assume the debts, the union gets
A new line of credit,
a financial diuretic
How do you not get it? If we're
aggressive and competitive
The union gets a boost. You'd
rather give it a sedative?
A civics lesson from a
slaver. Hey neighbor
Your debts are paid 'cause
you don't pay for labor
"We plant seeds in the
South. We create."
Yeah, keep ranting
We know who's really doing the planting
And another thing, Mr.
Age of Enlightenment
Don't lecture me about the
war, you didn't fight in it
You think I'm frightened of you, man?
We almost died in the trench
While you were off getting
high with the French
Thomas Jefferson, always
hesitant with the President
Reticent there isn't a
plan he doesn't jettison
Madison, you're mad as a
hatter, son, take your medicine
Damn, you're in worse shape
than the national debt is in
Sittin' there useless as two shits
Hey, turn around, bend
over, I'll show you
Where my shoe fits
Washington:
E cuse me? Madison, Jefferson,
take a walk! Hamilton, take a
walk! We'll reconvene after
a brief recess. Hamilton!
Hamilton:
Sir!
Washington:
A word
Madison:
You don't have the votes
Jefferson Madison:
You don't have the votes
Jefferson:
Aha ha ha ha ha!
Jefferson Madison:
You're gonna need congressional
approval and you don't have the votes
Jefferson:
Such a blunder sometimes it makes me
wonder why I even bring the thunder
Madison:
Why he even brings the thunder…
Washington:
You wanna pull yourself together?
Hamilton:
I'm sorry, these Virginians
are birds of a feather
Washington:
Young man, I'm from Virginia,
so watch your mouth
Hamilton:
So we let Congress get
held hostage by the South?
Washington:
You need the votes
Hamilton:
No, we need bold strokes
We need this plan
Washington:
No, you need to convince more folks
Hamilton:
James Madison won't talk
to me, that's a nonstarter
Washington:
Winning was easy, young man
Governing's harder
Hamilton:
They're being intransigent
Washington:
You have to find a compromise
Hamilton:
But they don't have a
plan, they just hate mine!
Washington:
Convince them otherwise
Hamilton:
And what happens if I don't
get congressional approval?
Washington:
I imagine they'll call for your removal
Hamilton:
Sir
Washington:
Figure it out, Ale ander
That's an order from your commander
