The imperious necessities of war take no heed of economic principles.

The work which the secretary had done became as the rope of sand.

It is not surprising that Gallatin wearied of his post; that he watched with vain regret and unavailing sighs the unavoidable increase of the national debt, and that he sought relief in other services where success was not so evanescent as in the Treasury Department.

Before the close of Madison's administration, February 12, 1816, the public debt had run up to over one hundred and twenty-three millions,[15] and a sum equal to the entire amount of Mr.Gallatin's savings in two terms had been expended in one.

But his work had not been in vain.