Cord Byrd: “an oft-repeated metaphor compares the U.S. Senate to a saucer in which a hot liquid is poured to cool. The earliest…”

“an oft-repeated metaphor compares the U.S. Senate to a saucer in which a hot liquid is poured to cool. The earliest known written version of this story appears in an 1871 letter from constitutional law professor Francis Lieber to Ohio Representative and later President James A. Garfield. Lieber recounted a story he had heard about Thomas Jefferson's visit to Mount Vernon where Jefferson disagreed with Gen. George Washington over the need for a bicameral legislature, and Washington's response: ``You, yourself,'' said the General, ``have proved the excellence of two houses this very moment.'' ``I,'' said Jefferson. ``How is that, General?'' ``You have,'' replied the heroic sage, ``turned your hot tea from the cup into the saucer, to get it cool. It is the same thing we desire of the two houses.'' The Washington-Jefferson dialogue drew further attention in the writings of the late 19th century American historian Moncure D. Conway, who altered the language and the beverage: There is a tradition that on his return from France, Jefferson called Washington to account at the breakfast table for having agreed to a second chamber. ``Why,'' asked Washington, ``did you pour that coffee into the saucer? Why did you do that?'' ``To cool it,'' answered Jefferson.…”