record the orders of his chief.

And methinks it would have been quite worth while to have had a place at
that board, and looked down the table at "the strong, fine face, tinged
with melancholy," of Washington; and the cheery, youthful faces of
Lawrence, Tilghman, Lee, Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton and the others of
that brave and handsome company. Well might they have called Washington
father, for this he was in spirit to them all--grave, gentle, courteous
and magnanimous, yet exacting strict and instant obedience from all; and
well, too, may we imagine that this obedience was freely and cheerfully
given.

Hamilton became one of Washington's family on March First, Seventeen
Hundred Seventy-seven, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was barely
twenty years of age; Washington was forty-seven, and the average age of
the family, omitting its head, was twenty-five. All had been selected on
account of superior intelligence and a record of dashing courage. When
Hamilton took his place at the board, he was the youngest member, save
one. In point of literary talent, he stood among the very foremost in the
country, for then there was no literature in America save the literature
of politics; and as an officer, he had shown rare skill and bravery.

And yet, such was Hamilton's ambition and confidence in himself, that he
hesitated to accept the position, and considered it an act of sacrifice to
do so. But having once accepted, he threw himself into the work and became
Washington's most intimate and valued assistant. Washington's
correspondence with his generals, with Congress, and the written decisions
demanded daily on hundreds of minor questions, mostly devolved on
Hamilton, for work gravitates to him who can do it best. A simple "Yes,"
"No" or "Perhaps" from the chief must be elaborated into a diplomatic
letter, conveying just the right shade of meaning, all with its proper
emphasis and show of dignity and respect. Thousands of these dispatches
can now be seen at the Capitol; and the ease, grace, directness and
insight shown in them are remarkable. There is no muddy rhetoric or
befuddled clauses. They were written by one with a clear understanding,
who was intent that the person addressed should understand, too.

Many of these documents were merely signed by Washington, but a few reveal
interlined sentences and an occasional word changed in Washington's hand,
thus showing that all was closely scrutinized and digested.