Increasingly Hancock suffered from gout, a painful disease characterized by joint pain and swelling. At times he could not hold a pen. In his second term Hancock mainly governed from home. When George Washington visited Boston in 1789 Hancock invited him to his house. Washington was insulted, believing that protocol required that Hancock visit him. When finally meeting, Washington understood and was shocked at Hancock’s condition. Political enemies accused Hancock of using gout as an excuse to avoid controversial issues.