subject of
references by the legislature to the Heads of departments, considering
their mischief in every direction. Gerry and Fitzsimmons clearly opposed
to them.

Two days afterwards (January the 4th), Mr. Bourne from Rhode Island
presented a memorial from his State, complaining of inequality in the
Assumption, and moved to refer it to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Fitzsimmons, Gerry, and others opposed it; but it was carried.

January the 19th. Fitzsimmons moved, that the President of the United
States be requested to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, to lay
before the House information to enable the legislature to judge of
the additional revenue necessary on the increase of the military
establishment. The House, on debate, struck out the words, 'President of
the United States.'

March the 7th. The subject resumed. An animated debate took place on the
tendency of references to the Heads of departments; and it seemed that
a great majority would be against it: the House adjourned. Treasury
greatly alarmed, and much industry supposed to be used before next
morning, when it was brought on again, and debated through the day, and
on the question, the Treasury carried it by thirty-one to twenty-seven:
but deeply wounded, since it was seen that all Pennsylvania, except
Jacobs, voted against the reference; that Tucker of South Carolina voted
for it, and Sumpter absented himself, debauched for the moment only,
because of the connection of the question with a further assumption
which South Carolina favored; but showing that they never were to be
counted on among the Treasury votes.

Some others absented themselves. Gerry changed sides. On the whole, it
showed that Treasury influence was tottering. Committed to writing this
10th of March, 1792.

March the 11th, 1792. Consulted verbally by the President, on whom a
committee of the Senate (Izard, Morris, and King) are to wait to-morrow
morning, to know whether he will think it proper to redeem our Algerine
captives, and make a treaty with the Algerines, on the single vote of
the Senate, without taking that of the Representatives.

My opinions run on the following heads.

We must go to Algiers with cash in our hands. Where shall we get it? By
loan? By converting money now in the treasury?

Probably a loan might be obtained on the President's authority: but as
this could not be repaid without a subsequent act of legislature,
the Representatives might refuse it.