Narrator: Hamilton has been out of the Cabinet for two years, and there have been big changes in the federal government. John Adams, a Federalist, has been elected the second president of the United States, and Washington has gone into retirement at Mount Vernon.
Even out of office, Hamilton is regarded as the leader of the party and he sees that the Federalists are facing a crisis. The Republicans are becoming more powerful in Congress, and his old rival, Thomas Jefferson, is gaining in popularity. Hamilton is determined to oppose him.
Alexander Hamilton (as portrayed by actor): The game we're playing is a most important one. Jefferson wants to be president. We're fighting for nothing less than true liberty, stability, and of course, heads. And I intend to do everything possible not to get mine chopped off.
Narrator: For their part, Jefferson and the Republicans are watching Hamilton warily. They fear his continuing power in the Federalist Party and see him as a possible presidential candidate. Hamilton stands for everything they hate. They determine to crush his future political ambitions.
They hold a series of incriminating letters detailing his past affair with Maria Reynolds. Republicans leak these papers to a muckraking journalist in their pay.
James Callender (as portrayed by actor): We now come to a part of my work -- more delicate perhaps than any other -- where we will see this great master of morality, though himself the father of a family, confessing that he had an illicit union with another man's wife. I feel I must expose these papers to the world. Not a word has been altered.
Narrator: It is a classic smear campaign. While his political enemies know very well that Hamilton was only paying blackmail money to Maria Reynolds' husband, they use the letters to claim that Hamilton was speculating with money from the Treasury.
Alexander Hamilton (as portrayed by actor): I trust I shall always be able to bear newspaper scurrility when they accuse me of errors of judgment. But when they so unfairly attack my integrity, I cannot control my indignation.
Narrator: Hamilton makes a reckless decision. In order to refute the charges that he stole money from the Treasury, he publishes a pamphlet explaining that he was blackmailed. To prove his case, he feels it necessary to describe every sordid detail of the affair, and publishes the passionate letters he received from Maria.
Maria Reynolds (voice over by actress): I am alone and shall be alone until Wednesday. What have I done that you should thus neglect me? My dear friend, how shall I plead enough? Let me see you and unbosom myself to you.
Alexander Hamilton (as portrayed by actor): The intercourse with Mrs. Reynolds continued with all the appearances of her having a violent attachment to me. It made it extremely difficult for me to disentangle myself.
Robert Bartlett (as portrayed by actor): He tells us, "I've been grossly charged with being a speculator, whereas I'm only an adulterer."
Karl F. Walling, Historian: Many leaders of the Federalist Party are saying -- is that how you're going to defend your ... your honor? You can imagine how much this hurt his wife. The point is Hamilton considered his public honor more important than his private honor.
Narrator: Hamilton's attempt to justify himself backfires.
Henry Lee (as portrayed by actor): He has inflicted more damage to himself than fifty of the best writers in America.
John Adams (as portrayed by actor): Colonel Hamilton doesn't seem capable of cooling his iron in his own trough.
Thomas Fleming, Biographer: Jefferson and Madison couldn't believe their eyes. It was the most ... one of the most self-destructive things they ever saw anybody do, and they just rubbed their hands. They really, more or less, realized Hamilton was finished; he never could be president now. But, after this whole thing somewhat subsided, what did Hamilton receive in the mail but a very beautiful silver bowl from Washington. Washington was no longer president now. He was telling Hamilton -- you're still my man.
George Washington (as portrayed by actor): Not for any intrinsic value, but as a token of my sincere regard and friendship for you, please accept this gift. Mrs. Washington joins me in my best wishes to Mrs. Hamilton and the family. With every sentiment of the highest regard, I remain your sincere friend.
Joanne B. Freeman, Historian: If Washington were not around, Hamilton would have been in big trouble. I mean, it really is the fact that Washington is there and willing to vouch for him on a number of different occasions that allows Hamilton to get away with what he gets away with. Even at the time, someone calls Washington Hamilton's dishcloth. You know, he's a ... wipes up the messes around him.
Narrator: In the days to come, Hamilton will need Washington's support more than ever.