Hamilton was both of these, and he possessed an intellectual brilliancy which Madison lacked.

Ames, who respected Madison's abilities and who regarded him as the leading member of the House, wrote that "he speaks low, his person is little and ordinary; he speaks decently as to manner, and no more; his language is very pure, perspicuous, and to the point." Why Fitzsimmons should be opposed to the appearance of the Secretary in person in the House, as had been Robert Morris's practice when he was Superintendent of Finance, is plain enough.

Maclay's diary has many references to Fitzsimmons's negotiations with members on tariff rates.

It was not to the advantage of private diplomacy to allow the Secretary to shape and define issues on the floor of the House.

But Fitzsimmons could not have had his way about the matter without Madison's help.
Gibbon remarks that the greatest of theological controversies which racked the Roman Empire and affected the peace of millions turned on the question whether a certain word should be spelled with one diphthong or another.