The paramount importance of the department was a legacy of Hamilton's genius.

Its possession was the Federalist stronghold, and the Senate, which held the confirming power, was still controlled by a Federalist majority.

To them Mr.Gallatin was more obnoxious than any other of the Republican leaders.

In the few days that he held a seat in the Senate (1793) he offended Hamilton, and aroused the hostility of the friends of the secretary by a call for information as to the condition of the Treasury.

As member of Congress in 1796 he questioned Hamilton's policy, and during Adams's entire administration was a perpetual thorn in the sides of Hamilton's successors in the department.