lenberg came to me and told me they would meet me in the committee-room. We did so, and went to the levee. I went foremost, and left them to follow and do as well as they could. Indeed, they had no great thing of a pattern, for I am but a poor courtier. The company was large for the room. The foreign Ministers were there, Van Berkel, the Dutch Minister (for the first time I suppose), gaudy as a peacock. Our Pennsylvanians withdrew before me. The President honored me with a particular tête-à-tête. 'How will this weather suit your farming?' 'Poorly-sir; the season is the most backward I have ever known. It is remarkably so here, but by letters from Pennsylvania vegetation is slow in proportion there.' 'The fruit, it is to be expected, will be safe; backward seasons are in favor of it, but in Virginia it was lost before I left that place.' 'Much depends on the exposure of the orchard. Those with a northern aspect have been found by us [in Pennsylvania] to be the most certain in producing fruit.' Yes, that is a good observation and should be attended to.' Made my bow and retired," Journal of William Maclay.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27.

At New York: "New York, May 27.-This morning at 5 o'clock the President set off in his barge to meet Mrs. Washington at Elizabeth-Town Point."-Gazette of the United States.

"New York, May 30.-Wednesday [May 27] arrived in this city from Mount Vernon, Mrs. Washington, the amiable consort of The President of the United States. Mrs. Washington from Philadelphia was accompanied by the Lady of Mr. Robert Morris. At Elizabethtown-point she was met by The President, Mr. Morris, and several other gentlemen of distinction, who had gone there for that purpose. She was conducted over the bay in the President's Barge, rowed by 13 eminent pilots, in a handsome white dress; on passing the Battery a salute was fired; and on her landing [at Peck's Slip] she was welcomed by crowds of citizens, who had assembled to testify their joy on this happy occasion.

"The principal ladies of the city have, with the earliest attention and respect, paid their devoirs to the amiable consort of our beloved PRESIDENT,

viz. The Lady of His Excellency the Governor-Lady Sterling—Lady Mary Watts-Lady Kitty Duer-La Marchioness de Brehan-the Ladies of the Most Hon. Mr. Langdon, and the Most Hon. Mr. Dalton-the Mayoress— Mrs. Livingston of Clermont-Mrs. Chancellor Livingston-the Miss Livingston's-Lady Temple-Madam de la Forest-Mrs. Montgomery-Mrs. Knox -Mrs. Thompson-Mrs. Gerry-Mrs. Edgar-Mrs. M'Comb-Mrs. LynchMrs. Houston-Mrs. Griffin-Mrs. Provost-the Miss Bayards and a great number of other respectable characters."-Gazette of the United States.

THURSDAY, MAY 28.

At New York: "New York, May 30.-Although THE PRESIDENT makes no formal invitations, yet the day after the arrival of Mrs. Washington, the following distinguished personages dined at his house, en famille.-Their Excellencies the Vice-President-the Governor of this State-the Ministers of France and Spain-and the Governor of the Western Territory-the Hon. Secretary of the United States for Foreign Affairs-the Most Hon. Mr. Langdon, Mr. Wingate, Mr. Izard, Mr. Few, and Mr. Muhlenberg, Speaker of the Hon. House of Representatives of the United States."-Gazette of the United States.

Paine Wingate, Senator from New Hampshire, one of the guests, has left the following description of this dinner: "It was the least showy dinner that I ever saw at the President's. As there was no clergyman present, Washington himself said grace on taking his seat. He dined on a boiled leg of mutton, as it was his custom to eat of only one dish. After the dessert a single glass of wine was offered to each of the guests, when the President the guests following his example, and repaired to the drawing-room, each departing at his option, without ceremony."

rose,

FRIDAY, JUNE 5.

At New York: "New York, June 8.-THEATREJOHN-STREET-Friday evening [June 5] was presented that excellent Comedy the CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE. The President of the United States and his Lady-the Most Honourable Robert Morris and Lady-the Gentlemen of the President's Suite Honourable General Knox and Lady-Baron Steuben-and many other respectable and distinguished

characters honoured the Theatre with their presence."Pennsylvania Packet, June 10.

MONDAY, JUNE 8.

At New York: "Although in the present unsettled state of the executive departments, under the government of the Union, I do not conceive it expedient to call upon you for information officially, yet I have supposed, that some informal communications from the office of foreign affairs might neither be improper nor unprofitable."— Washington to John Jay, Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

The secretaries of the several executive departments under the new government were not appointed till September. In the mean time the usual business of the departments was transacted by the officers who had charge of them when the old government expired. Mr. Jay continued to fill the office of Secretary of Foreign Affairs till Mr. Jefferson (appointed September 26) entered upon his duties in March, 1790. The name of the department was changed by law to that of the Department of State, and its head was thenceforward called Secretary of State. General Knox acted as Secretary of War till his new appointment to the same post on the 12th of September. The affairs of the Treasury were administered by a Board, consisting of Samuel Osgood, Walter Livingston, and Arthur Lee. These gentlemen retained their places till September 11, when Alexander Hamilton was appointed Secretary of the Treasury. Edmund Randolph was appointed Attorney-General September 26, and Samuel Osgood Postmaster-General on the same day.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19.

At New York: "New York, June 19.-His Excellency the President of the United States has been much indisposed for several days past, which has caused great anxiety in the breast of every true friend to America; on Wednesday he was visited by several physicians, and a chain extended across the street to prevent the passing of carriages before his door; it is however hoped, that this indisposition will not prove other than incidental, and the cause be soon removed."-Pennsylvania Packet, June 22.

MONDAY, JUNE 22.

At New York: "The President has been confined to his bed for a week past by a fever, and a violent tumor on his thigh;-I have now, however, the pleasure to inform you that the former has left him, and the latter in a fair way of being removed, tho' from its size it will be some time before he will be wholly relieved from the inconvenience of it."-Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, MS. Letter.

"New York, June 24.-I informed you in my last, of the 22a that the President was recovering from his indisposition, and I am now happy to add that he still continues to mend ;-his weakness, and the effects of the tumor on his thigh are now his only complaints-these will be removed by time and attention, tho' the latter having been very large & the incision, on opening it, deep, must require some time to be in a state to enable him to take exercise."-Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, MS. Letter.

FRIDAY, JULY 3.

At New York: "I have now the pleasure to inform you, that my health is restored, but a feebleness still hangs upon me, and I am much incommoded by the incision, which was made in a very large and painful tumor on the protuberance of my thigh. This prevents me from walking or sitting. . . . I am able to take exercise in my coach, by having it so contrived as to extend myself the full length of it."- Washington to James McHenry.

The cause of the illness of Washington was a case of anthrax so malignant as for several days to threaten mortification. His medical adviser was Dr. Samuel Bard, who attended him with unremitting assiduity. Being alone one day with the doctor, Washington, regarding him steadily, asked his candid opinion as to the probable result of his case. "Do not flatter me with vain hopes," said he, with placid firmness; "I am not afraid to die, and therefore can bear the worst." The doctor expressed hope, but owned that he had apprehensions. "Whether to-night or twenty years hence makes no difference," observed Washington. "I know that

I am in the hands of a good Providence." His sufferings were intense and his recovery was slow.

SATURDAY, JULY 4.

At New York: Is waited on by a committee of the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of New York, and addressed by its chairman, Baron Steuben.

The Society afterward marched in procession, attended by Colonel Bauman's artillery and a band of music, to St. Paul's Chapel, where Alexander Hamilton delivered an oration in honor of General Nathanael Greene. William Maclay, Senator from Pennsylvania, referring to this in his journal, says, "The church was crowded. The Cincinnati had seats allotted for themselves; wore their eagles at their button-holes, and were preceded by a flag. The oration was well delivered; the composition appeared good, but I thought he should have given us some account of his virtues as a citizen as well as a warrior, for I supposed he possessed them, and he lived some time after the war, and, I believe, commenced farming."

MONDAY, JULY 6.

At New York: "New York, July 6.-With pleasure we announce that the President is considerably recovered from his late indisposition, and has, for these few days past, been able to take an airing in his carriage."-Pennsylvania Packet, July 8.

THURSDAY, JULY 23.

At New York: "New York, July 25.-On Thursday last [July 23] that venerable patriot CHARLES THOMPSON, Esq. resigned to THE PRESIDENT of the United States his office of Secretary of Congress—a post which he has filled for nearly Fifteen Years, with reputation to himself, and advantage to his country.

"When Heav'n propitious smil'd upon our arms,

Or scenes adverse spread terror and alarms,

Thro' every change the Patriot was the same

And FAITH and HOPE attended THOMPSON'S NAME."

-Gazette of the United States.

The President, in accepting his resignation, wrote to Mr. Thomson under date of July 24, as follows: "The present age does so much justice to the unsullied reputation, with which you have always conducted yourself in the execution of the duties of your office, and posterity will find your name so