Cabinet Battle #1

"Cabinet Battle #1" is the second song of Act Two of Hamilton and the 25th song in the musical overall.

Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton and Secretary of the State Jefferson engage in a cabinet meeting designated to a discussion of Hamilton's financial plan. Madison and Jefferson get sassy and taunt him, reminding him that for congressional approval he would need the majority of the votes, which he didn't have. Washington pulls him aside during a recess and tells him to cool it, and that though he was worked up he did indeed have to find his votes to avoid removal.

Lyrics[]

[WASHINGTON]
Ladies and gentlemen, you could have been anywhere in the world tonight,
but you're here with us in New York City.
Are you ready for a cabinet meeting, huh?
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 tax 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 taxed our tea, we got frisky
Imagine what gon' happen when you try to tax our whisky...

[CROWD]
(Reacting)
That's my alcohol!

[WASHINGTON]
Thank you, Secretary Jefferson
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

[CROWD]
OHHHHHHH!!!!

[WASHINGTON]
Excuse 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!

[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]
Ah, 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]
What happens if I don't get congressional approval?

[WASHINGTON]
I imagine they'll call for your removal

[HAMILTON]
Sir—

[WASHINGTON]
Figure it out, Alexander
That's an order from your commander