“I wish he were here, and well out of it.”

“I have not sufficiently thanked you for the letter you wrote me last September.  It was what I had earnestly hoped for.  My position was most distressing.  It was impossible for me not only to ask the advice of anyone, but the temper of the public mind regarding myself.  To assume that I must be desired—­but I need not explain to you, who know me better than anybody living, the extreme delicacy of my position, and the torments of my mind.  Your letter explained everything, told me all I wished to know, made my duty clear—­painfully clear.  You divined what I needed and expressed yourself in your usual frank and manly way, without the least hesitation or fear.  I take this occasion to assure you again of my deep appreciation.”

“Oh, sir,” said Hamilton, who was always affected unbearably by Washington’s rare moments of deep feeling, “I was merely the selected instrument to give you what you most needed at the moment; nothing more.  This was your destiny; you would be here in any case.  It is my pride, my reward of many years of thought and work, that I am able to be of service to your administration, and conspicuous enough to permit you to call me to your side.  Be sure that all that I have or am is yours, and that I shall never fail you.”

“If I did not believe that, I should indeed be deep in gloomy forebodings.  Jay will officiate as Secretary of State for the present; Knox, as Secretary at War.  I contemplate inviting Randolph to act as Attorney-General, and Jefferson as permanent Secretary of State, if he will accept; thus dividing the appointments between the North and the South.  What do you think of the wisdom of appointing Mr. Jefferson?  He is a man of great abilities, and his long residence abroad should make him a valuable Secretary of State, his conspicuous services acceptable to both sections of the country.  It is the selection over which I have hesitated longest, for it is a deep and subtle nature, a kind I have no love of dealing with, but so far as I know it is not a devious one, and his talents command my respect.”

“I am unable to advise you, sir, for he is not personally known to me,” said Hamilton, who was not long wishing that he had had a previous and extensive knowledge of Thomas Jefferson.  “Madison thinks well of him—­is a close personal friend.  He has rendered great services to the State of Virginia, his experience is wide, and he possesses a brilliant and facile pen—­I can think of no one better fitted for the position.  His record for personal bravery is not untarnished, but perhaps that will insure peace in the Cabinet.”

Washington laughed.  “Jefferson would slide under the table if you assaulted him,” he said.  “It is you only that I fear, as it is you only upon whom I thoroughly rely, and not for advice in your own department alone, but in all.  I think it would perhaps be better not to hold collective meetings of the Cabinet, but to receive each of you alone.  It is as well the others do not know that your knowledge and judgement are my chief reliance.”