while all his friends had been president... Hamilton as a federalist was despised by Jefferson, a republican (not in today's sense). He was also highly suspect by Adams for different reasons. Washington was somewhat behind him, or perhaps just that Hamilton was better able to manipulate the aging Washington.
Washington had great respect for Hamilton. This arose from the RevWar where The General first met young Alex when he came to defend NYC and Hamilton had started a NY Artillery unit. General Washington soon realized that the young man could help him greatly as an aide-de-camp, and was indeed responsible for writing many of Washington's orders at this time. They had a bit of a verbal fight when Hamilton wanted to get closer to the action and lead a group in battle.
Washington ultimately gave Hamilton the great honor of leading the most dangerous charge at Yorktown.
Washington was not an easy man to "manipulate" and he had his own (good) reasons to look with disfavor upon Jefferson.