under this Roof.  The invitation was not less sincere, than the reception will be cordial.  The only stipulations I shall contend for are, that in all things you shall do as you please—­I will do the same; and that no ceremony may be used or any restraint be imposed on any one.”  Humphreys was visiting him when the notification of his election as President was received, and was the only person, except servants, who accompanied Washington to New York.  Here he continued for a time to give his assistance, and was successively appointed Indian commissioner, informal agent to Spain, and finally Minister to Portugal.  While holding this latter position Washington wrote to him, “When you shall think with the poet that ’the post of honor is a private station’—­& may be inclined to enjoy yourself in my shades ...  I can only tell you that you will meet with the same cordial reception at Mount Vernon that you have always experienced at that place,” and when Humphreys answered that his coming marriage made the visit impossible, Washington replied, “The desire of a companion in my latter days, in whom I could confide ... induced me to express too strongly ... the hope of having you as an inmate.”  On the death of Washington, Humphreys published a poem expressing the deepest affection and admiration for “my friend.”

The longest and closest connection was that with Hamilton.  This very young and obscure officer attracted Washington’s attention in the campaign of 1776, early in the next year was appointed to the staff, and quickly became so much a favorite that Washington spoke of him as “my boy.”  Whatever friendliness this implied was not, however, reciprocated by Hamilton.  After four years of service, he resigned, under circumstances to which he pledged Washington to secrecy, and then himself, in evident irritation, wrote as follows: 

“Two days ago, the General and I passed each other on the stairs.  He told me he wanted to speak to me.  I answered that I would wait upon him immediately.  I went below, and delivered Mr. Tilghman a letter to be sent to the commissary, containing an order of a pressing and interesting nature.  Returning to the General, I was stopped on the way by the Marquis de Lafayette, and we conversed together about a minute on a matter of business.  He can testify how impatient I was to get back, and that I left him in a manner which, but for our intimacy would have been more than abrupt.  Instead of finding the General, as is usual, in his room, I met him at the head of the stairs, where, accosting me in an angry tone, ‘Colonel Hamilton,’ said he ’you have kept me waiting at the head of the stairs these ten minutes.  I must tell you, sir, you treat me with disrespect.’  I replied without petulancy, but with decision:  ’I am not conscious of it, sir; but since you have thought it necessary to tell me so, we part.’  ‘Very well, sir,’ said he, ‘if it be your choice,’ or something to this effect, and we separated.  I sincerely believe my absence,