Read the passage. A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well digested plan is requisite: And their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories, as tend to render them independent on others, for essential, particularly for military supplies.

The proper establishment of the troops which may be deemed indispensable, will be entitled to mature consideration. In the arrangement which will be made respecting it, it will be of importance to conciliate the comfortable support of the officers and soldiers with a due regard to economy.

The interests of the United States require, that our intercourse with other nations should be facilitated by such provisions as will enable me to fulfill my duty, in that respect, in the manner which circumstances may render most conducive to the publick good. . . .

The advancement of agriculture, commerce and manufactures, by all proper means, will not, I trust, need recommendation. But I cannot forbear intimating to you the expediency of giving effectual encouragement as well to the introduction of new and useful inventions from abroad, as to the exertions of skill and genius in producing them at home; and of facilitating the intercourse between the distant parts of our country by a due attention to the Post Office and Post Roads. . . .

I saw with peculiar pleasure, at the close of the last session, the resolution entered into by you, expressive of your opinion, that an adequate provision for the support of the publick credit, is a matter of high importance to the national honour and prosperity.— In this sentiment, I entirely concur.— And to a perfect confidence in your best endeavors to devise such a provision as will be truly consistent with the end, I add an equal reliance on the cheerful cooperation of the other branch of the Legislature.— It would be superfluous to specify inducements to a measure in which the character and permanent interests of the United States so obviously and so deeply concerned; and which has received so explicit a sanction from your declaration.

–First Annual Message of George Washington, 1790

Each of the following may have served as a rationale supporting Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton’s plans for resolving the national debt during the Washington administration EXCEPT

resolving the debt was a matter of national defense; financial insolvency would result in an unfunded and inadequate national military.
resolving the debt was a matter of national economics; financial insolvency would hinder efforts to trade internationally.
resolving the debt was a matter of national unity; the disparity in states’ abilities to repay debts would lead to interstate conflict.
resolving the debt was a matter of constitutional requirement; the newly adopted United States Constitution mandated a balanced budget.