Sketch of the Munro Clan

78
undertook to regard Washington as a sort of foreign potentate, who
was bound to pay the first visit to the ruler of the Commonwealth in
which he found himself; while Washington took the view that he was
the superior officer of the Governor of Massachusetts, and that, as the
head of the Union, Hancock was bound to visit him first. Washing-
ton's sense of dignity, and of what was due to his position, had often
been exemplified ; and the governor's vanity and State Sovereignty were
no match for it. Hancock prudently made the gout an excuse for
giving way ; and, having as fine a sense as the first Pitt of the theatrical
properties of the malady, appeared at Washington's door swathed in
flannel, and was borne on men's shoulders to the President's apart-
ments " [at the corner of Court and Tremont Streets] . — Memorial
History of Boston, vol. Hi. p. igg.
3. " Monday, 26th. — The day being Rainy and Stormy, myself
much disordered by a cold, and inflammation in the left eye, I was
prevented from visiting Lexington, (where the first blood in the dispute
with G. Brit'n was drawn)." — Diary of George Washington from
178Q to 1791, etc., edited by Benson J. Lossing, p. 35.
4. There was much uncertainty and controversy over President
Washington's title. In many instances he is referred to as " His
Majesty," but " His Highness " was the commonly accepted term,
until at the town meeting held in Boston, to prepare for his visit to that
town in 1789, the three hundred citizens present, without a dissenting
voice, voted that he be called simply " the President," — a usage which
has ever since prevailed.
5. " To be sold, at the lowest advance for Cash
A General Assortment of Goods,
by Wholesale and Retail, consisting of
Broadcloths, from \s. to zos. per yard,
Coatings and Lambskins, from 4.J. to \os. ditto,
twilled Lambskins, blue and light mixt Bath
Beavers, forest Cloths, low-prized Kerseys.