Meaning: The quote "Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even" is often attributed to the American humorist and actor, Will Rogers. While the quote is humorous in nature, it also holds a deeper significance in relation to the history of the United States and the role of Alexander Hamilton in shaping the nation's financial system.

Alexander Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a key figure in the early years of the republic. Born out of wedlock in the Caribbean, Hamilton immigrated to the American colonies in his youth and became a leading figure in the movement for independence from Great Britain. As the first Secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington, Hamilton was tasked with establishing a sound financial system for the fledgling nation.

When Hamilton took office as Secretary of the Treasury in 1789, the United States was burdened with significant debt from the Revolutionary War. The country lacked a unified financial system, and the individual states were struggling with their own financial challenges. Hamilton's vision was to create a strong central government with the ability to manage the nation's finances, establish credit, and promote economic growth.

Hamilton's ambitious plans faced opposition from political rivals who favored a more limited role for the federal government. However, he persevered and laid the groundwork for a comprehensive financial system that included the creation of a national bank, the assumption of state debts by the federal government, and the establishment of a system of tariffs and taxes to generate revenue.

Despite facing significant challenges and criticism, Hamilton's efforts were instrumental in stabilizing the nation's finances and setting it on a path toward economic prosperity. The quote attributed to Will Rogers humorously suggests that, in the early days of the U.S. Treasury, there was effectively "nothing" in terms of a financial system, and Hamilton's actions brought the country closer to a state of balance and stability.

Hamilton's legacy in shaping the U.S. Treasury and financial system is enduring. His vision for a strong central government with robust financial capabilities has had a lasting impact on the economic development of the United States. The establishment of the U.S. Treasury as a key institution for managing the nation's finances and formulating economic policy can be traced back to Hamilton's efforts and the foundational principles he put in place.

In conclusion, the quote by Will Rogers encapsulates the significance of Alexander Hamilton's role in starting the U.S. Treasury and his impact on the country's financial history. It humorously underscores the transformative nature of Hamilton's actions and their critical importance in shaping the economic foundation of the United States. Hamilton's vision and initiatives laid the groundwork for a strong and enduring financial system, setting the stage for the country's economic growth and stability in the years that followed.