so far subject, as
to be obliged to produce all the papers they might call for. They might
demand secrets of a very mischievous nature. [Here I thought he began
to fear they would go to examining how far their own members and other
persons in the government had been dabbling in stocks, banks, &c. and
that he probably would choose in this case to deny their power; and,
in short, he endeavored to place himself subject to the House, when
the executive should propose what he did not like, and subject to the
executive, when the House should propose any thing disagreeable.]
I observed here a difference between the British parliament and our
Congress; that the former was a legislature, an inquest, and a council
(S. C. page 91.) for the King. The latter was, by the constitution, a
legislature and an inquest, but not a council. Finally agreed, to speak
separately to the members of the committee, and bring them by persuasion
into the right channel. It was agreed in this case, that there was not
a paper which might not be properly produced; that copies only should be
sent, with an assurance, that if they should desire it, a clerk should
attend with the originals to be verified by themselves. The committee
were Fitzsimmons, Steele, Mercer, Clarke, Sedgwick, Giles, and Vining.

April the 9th, 1792. The President had wished to redeem our captives at
Algiers, and to make a peace with them on paying an annual tribute. The
Senate were willing to approve this, but unwilling to have the lower
House applied to previously to furnish the money; they wished the
President to take the money from the treasury, or open a loan for it.
They thought that to consult the Representatives on one occasion,
would give them a handle always to claim it, and would let them into a
participation of the power of making treaties, which the constitution
had given exclusively to the President and Senate. They said, too, that
if the particular sum was noted by the Representatives, it would not be
a secret. The President had no confidence in the secrecy of the Senate,
and did not choose to take money from the treasury or to borrow. But he
agreed he would enter into provisional treaties with the Algerines,
not to be binding on us till ratified here. I prepared questions for
consultation with the Senate, and added, that the Senate were to be
apprized, that on the return of the provisional treaty, and after they
should advise the ratification, he would not have the s