All the ladies watched to see what Mrs.Washington would do with her portion; and next day there were tittering remarks all through the fashionable part of the town over the fact that she had martyred herself and swallowed the dose.

Incidentally Maclay, who was in nearly everything a vehement opponent of the policy of the Administration, bore witness to Washington's perfect courtesy, Maclay noted that in spite of his antagonistic attitude Washington invited him to dinner and paid him "marked attention," although "he knows enough to satisfy him that I will not be Senator after the 3d of March, and to the score of his good nature must I place these attentions." In his relations with Congress, Washington followed precedents derived from the English constitutional system under which he had been educated.
No question was raised by anybody at first as to the propriety of a course with which the public men of the day were familiar.

He opened the session with an address to Congress couched somewhat in the style of the speech from the throne.

At the first session there was talk of providing some sort of throne for him; but the proposal came to nothing.

He spoke from the Vice-President's chair, and the Representatives went into the Senate chamber to hear him, as the Commons proceed to the House of Lords on such occasions.