THE MASTER BUILDER The subject of national finance had long interested Hamilton.

His ideas had been matured by a diligent and minute study of English precedents, and now that his opportunity had come he was ready to grasp it.

Soon after he took office, the House resolved that "an adequate provision for the support of the public credit" should be made, and it directed the Secretary of the Treasury "to prepare a plan for that purpose and to report the same to the House at its next meeting." This was, in effect, a postponement until the second session of the First Congress, which began in January, 1790.

In his opening address to Congress, Washington pointedly referred to the public credit resolution which he had noted "with peculiar pleasure." On the next day a letter from Hamilton was read in the House stating that he had prepared his plan and was ready to report the same to the House when they should be pleased to receive it.
This announcement brought up anew the question in what manner the Secretary should make his report.

Gerry was on his feet at once with a motion that it should be made in writing.