Gallatin defended his figures.

At this day it is impossible to determine the merits of this dispute.
One incident of this session deserves mention as showing the distaste of Gallatin for anything like personal compliment, stimulated in this instance, perhaps, by his sense of Washington's dislike to himself.

It had been the habit of the House since the commencement of the government to adjourn for a time on February 22, Washington's birthday, that members might pay their respects to the President.

When the motion was made that the House adjourn for _half an hour_, the Republicans objected, and Gallatin, nothing loath to "bell the cat," moved that the words "half an hour" be struck out.

His amendment was lost without a division.