This was not answering the high expectation that had been formed of their exertions for the general good, or of their vigilance in guarding their own and the people's rights.
The arguments of Mr.Page and Mr.Tucker were enforced and enlarged by Mr.Livermore and Mr.Gerry.The latter gentleman said, "that he had no objection to obtaining information, but he could not help observing the great degree of importance gentlemen were giving to this and the other executive officers.

If the doctrine of having prime and great ministers of state was once well established, he did not doubt but he should soon see them distinguished by a green or red ribbon, insignia of court favour and patronage." It was contended that the plans of the secretary, being digested, would be received entire.

Members would be informed that each part was necessary to the whole, and that nothing could be touched without injuring the system.

Establish this doctrine, and congress would become a useless burden.
The amendment was opposed by Mr.Benson, Mr.Goodhue, Mr.Ames, Mr.
Sedgewick, Mr.Boudinot, Mr.Lawrence, Mr.Madison, Mr.Stone, Mr.
Sherman, and Mr.Baldwin.It was insisted that to prepare and report plans for the improvement of the revenue, and support of public credit, constituted the most important service which could be rendered by the officer who should be placed at the head of the department of finance.

When the circumstances under which the members of that house were assembled, and the various objects for which they were convened were considered, it was no imputation upon them to suppose that they might receive useful information from a person whose peculiar duty it was to direct his attention to systems of finance, and who would be in some measure selected on account of his fitness for that object.