He admits to Secretary McHenry that, when he goes to his writing table to acknowledge the letters he has received, when the lights are brought, he feels tired and disinclined to do this work, conceiving that the next night will do as well.

"The next night comes," he adds, "and with it the same causes for postponement, and so on." He has not had time to look into a book.

He is dazed by the incessant number of new faces which appear at Mount Vernon.

They come, he says, out of "respect" for him, but their real reason is curiosity.

He practises Virginian hospitality very lavishly, but he cannot endure the late hours.