His medical adviser was Dr.Samuel Bard of New York, and Irving reports the following characteristic conversation between him and his patient: "Do not flatter me with vain hopes," said Washington, 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 hence, makes no difference," observed Washington.

"I know that I am in the hands of a good Providence."[1] His friends thought that he never really recovered his old-time vigor.
That autumn, as soon as Congress had adjourned, he took a journey through New England, going as far as Portsmouth and returning in time for the opening of the Second Congress.
[Footnote 1: Irving, V, 22.] The Government was now settling down into what became its normal routine.

The Cabinet was completed by the appointment of Jefferson as Secretary of State and Edmund Randolph as Attorney-General.

Jefferson would have preferred to go back to France as American Minister, but in a fulsome letter he declared himself willing to accept any office which Washington wished him to fill.

The Supreme Court was organized with John Jay as Chief Justice, and five Associate Justices.
Washington could not fail to be aware that parties were beginning to shape themselves.