A scene from “Unnecessary War”

Alexander Hamilton: Should victory fall to Britain, as it most surely must, then the Bourbons are likely to regain the throne of France. Any dealings with a current illegitimate government there could well redound to our detriment, leading us back into a war with Britain we can ill-afford to wage.

John Adams: What if the French, not the British, emerge victorious, Mr. Hamilton? The pretender Bonaparte is within a hairsbreadth of victory over most of Europe.

Alexander Hamilton: In that regrettable instance, we must be prepared to take possession of valuable, strategic territory before France can lay her hands on it. All the territory this side of the Mississippi must be ours.

John Adams: You would seize Spanish Florida and Louisiana?

Alexander Hamilton: And not only those, sir. If universal empire is to be the pursuit of France, what can tend to defeat their purpose better than to detach South America from Spain? It is the only channel through which the riches of Mexico and Peru convey to France. Let us not forget there are those in our own country, sir, who would prefer secession to our continued Union. If they should be so bold as to act on their threats in the event, say, of a French victory, we must be prepared to bring the renegades back into the fold by force if necessary.

John Adams: Never in my life have I heard a man speak more like a fool.

Alexander Hamilton: Sir?

John Adams: Your actions, Mr. Hamilton, would precipitate the very thing that you pretend to protect against: the dissolution of this nation. May I inform you as well, sir, that I am in possession of intelligence that confirms that we are as likely to see a French army on these shores as we are on the moon! You dream of empire, Mr. Hamilton!

Alexander Hamilton: You question my loyalty, sir?

John Adams: Oh, no, Mr. Hamilton, I question your sanity. Now either you are stark raving mad, or I am! Good day, sir!