Thus, when he came to Boston, John Hancock, the Governor of Massachusetts, seemed to wish to indicate that the Governor was the highest personage in the State and not at all subservient even to the President of the United States.

He wished to arrange it so that Washington should call on him first, but this Washington had no idea of doing.

Hancock then wrote and apologized for not greeting the President owing to an unfortunate indisposition.

Washington replied regretting the Governor's illness and announcing that the schedule on which he was travelling required him to quit Boston at a given time.
Governor Hancock, whose spectacular signature had given him prominence everywhere, finding that he could not make the President budge, sent word that he was coming to pay his respects.

Washington replied that he should be much pleased to welcome him, but expressed anxiety lest the Governor might increase his indisposition by coming out.