Question

The compacts which are to embrace thirteen distinct States in a common bond of amity [friendship] and union, must as necessarily be a compromise of as many dissimilar interests and inclinations.

– Alexander Hamilton
Federalist, No. 85

What is the central point that Hamilton is making?

The 13 states were too unwilling to reach an agreement.
Compromise was a necessary part of uniting 13 different states.
The 13 states are only united because of their feelings of friendship.
Too many compromises were required during the Constitutional Convention.

Answer 1

Compromise was a necessary part of uniting 13 different states.

Hamilton is saying that because the states had diverse and conflicting interests and preferences, any agreement to bind them in friendship and union had to be a compromise among those differences.