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.
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