Albert Gallatin
"...his personal Character, as well as his present Designs,
entitle him to the most cordial Regards."
Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia
March 25, 1785
Early American Statesman
In 1780, 19-year old Albert Gallatin emigrated from Switzerland to the emerging United States of America. Over the next seven decades, Gallatin served his new country as congressman, Secretary of the Treasury, treaty negotiator, ambassador, educator, and scholar.
Although not well-known today, Gallatin played a major role in early American history. Lewis and Clark, while exploring the Louisiana territory in 1804, named the headwater rivers of the Missouri River after three of the most prominent politicians of their time — Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Albert Gallatin.
As Secretary of the Treasury from 1801-1814, Gallatin attempted to balance the budget of the United States while financing westward expansion.
[Bottom right painting caption reads]
At Ghent, Belgium, in 1815, Gallatin (above, sixth from right) became the de facto U.S. leader in negotiating the end to the War of 1812.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #04 James Madison series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 25, 1785.
Location. 39° 46.645′ N, 79° 55.859′ W. Marker is near Point Marion, Pennsylvania, in Fayette County. Marker is on the Friendship Hill National Historic Site grounds, at the start of the walkway from the parking lot to the house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 223 New Geneva Road, Point Marion PA 15474, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Friendship Hill Trail System (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Friendship Hill (about 400 feet away); Stone Cistern (about 500 feet away); Preserving the 1910 Landscape (about 800 feet away); Monongahela River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sophia Allegre Gallatin (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Friendship Hill Trail System (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Glassworks (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Point Marion.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Friendship Hill National Historic Site. (Submitted on September 12, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Albert Gallatin Bio. (Submitted on September 12, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Albert Gallatin (1801-1814) at US Dept of the Treasury. (Submitted on September 12, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 249 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 12, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.