Was Hamilton the champion of implied powers?

Yes, Alexander Hamilton was a strong advocate for implied powers. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he argued for a broad interpretation of the Constitution, believing that the federal government should have the authority to take actions not explicitly stated in the document, as long as they were necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. This perspective laid the groundwork for the development of a strong central government and has influenced American political thought regarding federal authority. Hamilton's views were pivotal in the establishment of a flexible interpretation of the Constitution, allowing for the expansion of federal powers.