Which principle of American government is Hamilton describing?

While the rule of law is a fundamental principle ensuring that all individuals and institutions are accountable under the law, Hamilton's focus was more on the division of powers rather than legal principles governing society. The rule of law is a broader concept that does not specifically address the structural relationship between state and federal powers.

Popular sovereignty refers to the principle that the authority of government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, primarily through elected representatives. Although Hamilton acknowledged the importance of the people's will, his emphasis was on the federal structure rather than on the direct role of popular consent in governance.

Checks and balances is a system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others. While Hamilton supported this system, his primary focus in the context of the question was on federalism and the distribution of power between the national and state governments.