3352. GALLATIN (Albert), Support of the bank.—
Mr. Gallatin's support of the bank
has, I believe, been disapproved by many. He
was not in Congress when that was established,
and therefore had never committed himself,
publicly, on the constitutionality of that institution,
nor do I recollect ever to have heard
him declare himself on it. I know he derived
immense convenience from it, because they
gave the effect of ubiquity to his money wherever
deposited. * * * He was, therefore,
cordial to the bank. I often pressed him to
divide the public deposits among all the respectable
banks, being indignant myself at the
open hostility of that institution to a government
on whose treasuries they were fattening.
But his repugnance to it prevented my persisting.
And if he was in favor of the bank,
what is the amount of that crime or error in
which he had a majority, save one, in each
House of Congress as participators?—
To William Wirt. Washington ed. v, 595.
Ford ed., ix, 318.
(M.
May. 1811)
