Memoir of an American patriot

by Hamilton Fish

For three-quarters of a century, he exerted political clout in both New York State and the nation. His friends and enemies were among the celebrated and the powerful, the illustrious and infamous. He saw history being made. He made history himself. These are the memoirs of Hamilton Fish: his colorful life, the people who were a part of it and the world events he was instrumental in shaping. "Politics was in my family's blood, so it was no surprise when I entered the field myself," observed Hamilton Fish. His great grandfather was the first adjutant general of the state of New York; his grandfather was governor of New York, a U.S. senator, a U.S. representative, and secretary of state for President Ulysses S. Grant; his father was a U.S. representative and served as assistant U.S. treasurer. Hamilton Fish joined their ranks in 1912 when he was appointed chairman of the Putnam County, New York, Bull Moose Party. Elected to the New York Legislature, with Franklin D. Roosevelt he fought po