Jefferson-Peale Correspondence

"Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 22 November 1806" (p. 1). Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

"Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 22 November 1806" (p. 2). Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 22 November 1806

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Washington Nov. 22. 06.

Dear Sir

I recieved your letter of July 2. in due time, & soon after that the apparatus for making the inkpots in mr Hawkins's polygraph moveable, so as to render the dip easy. but in the mean time I had thought of a contrivance which I had executed at Monticello, and which a three months use has proved to be as perfect as it is simple. each inkpot is set in a square saucer of very thin brass, ¼ I. deep, from one corner of which (the left front corner) projects an ear thro which, and the wood a rivet passes thus. [ ] when turned out it is thus [ ] a quarter of a turn brings the inkpot out by it's whole diameter which makes the dip perfectly easy. when done, you push it back again & shut up the machine.

I formerly troubled you with the small polygraph you made for me in order to get it's parallels rectified, because from some cause which I cannot discover the half dozen lines at the top of the copy are an illegible scribble, while in every other part of the page it performs perfectly well. it still has that defect as you will percieve by writing half a dozen lines at the top of the paper in a small light character. it’s size is so exactly what I prefer, that if I could get this defect removed, I should value it more than any one I have ever tried: but I apprehend some defect in the parallels so radical as to admit of no amendment but by a new set, the expence of which I will gladly incur, & therefore send it to you by the stage. I by no means wish to have a sliding plate put into it, on mr Hawkins's plan; because where the size is such as to permit a command of the whole page, it is much better as this is. I shall also be glad to have silver penarms & pen cases put to it, but with the adjusting screw without which all these instruments are useless to me. I was

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obliged to have them put to the small polygraph which mr Hawkins sent me, & with which this letter is written. as soon as you shall, at your own convenience have rectified this machine, be so good as to return it by the stage with the cost of alteration & it shall be remitted.

I have a shade in profile of a very dear friend decd. (Judge Wythe) whose portrait was never taken. it is a compleat whole length of about 6. or 8 I. length. does your art afford any means of copying it exactly and at the same time giving it such tints, by Indian ink or otherwise as would make it more worthy of preservation. my idea is that perhaps it could be made to wear the appearance of a print, exhibiting like that the muscles, features Etc but perhaps that could not be done by guess so as to preserve the resemblance. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem.

Th: Jefferson

Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 26 November 1806

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"Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 26 November 1806." Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Museum Nov.^r 26. 1806.

Dear Sir

your Polygraph I received this afternoon, and it is now in the hands of the Workman, who will make it as perfect as He possibly can. I expected to write this evening to inform you that the Box had not come forward, I am glad to write otherwise. The Profile, if you enclose it to me shall be taken care off, and if we can improve by shading the drawing of it, I mean with the aid of my son Rembrandt, we will do our best to make it more interresting. I think I must have known Mr. Wythe, but at this moment I do not recollect his figure, the Profile may recall him to my memory. I have again resumed my Pensil, in the belief that I can paint much better than when younger, and I have this day finished a piece containing a great number of figures. The taking up from a marle-pit the Mammoth bones: It is the most interresting Picture I have ever painted, and I hope will please those fond of painting who visit the Museum—The preservation of Animals is done by a person I have taught my methods—and therefore in a short time I hope to be able to devote much of my time to furnish the Museum with works of art.

The want of Room for a display will shortly be a great perplexity to me, the State House is too small to hold my Quadrupeds & Birds.

accept my best wishes for your health; I am with much esteem your friend

C W Peale

His excellency Tho.^s Jefferson president.

Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1806

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"Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1806" (p. 1). Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

"Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1806" (p. 2). Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Museum Dec.^r 13.^th 1806.

Dear Sir

I now write with your Polygraph by way of tryal, and find that it is absolutely necessary to hold the Pen of the left or West side, the beginning bears a little harder than I could wish in the right hand Pen, but at the other end of the line the pressure is nearly equal, after the first line the difference is scarce perceptible. The Pen-bar being longer than the width of the paralells, renders the smallest deviation from truth in the Work more conspicuous, which cannot be got over to have a Polygraph so small, with simular Machinery. we have made the Pivot pieces, connecting the machinery to the Penbar, something more substantial than usial, indeed we have not spared labour or care to make the whole of the Machinery as perfect as possible, and I hope you may find it nearly correct. The silver Pen arms & Pen tubs are put to it—The cost of which to me is about Ten Dollars, I can make no other charge as the Machinery ought to have been correct in the first Instance.

I have also done my best in filling the out line of your late friend Judge Wythe. whether you may find it equally striking as to likeness I cannot say, for my remembrance has not furnished me with any Idea's of the form of his features, therefore it is all guess work—besides I have not had but little practice in the use of Indian Ink, or the execution might have better, indeed I was doubtful whether I should send it, but on the consideration that it was testifying my disposition to meet your wishes—If any sort of portrait

or

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or some Person capable of discribing the Judges features the likeness would have been probably much improved, profiles certainly, if well taken, gives characters very striking, indeed much better than I had concieved before I had seen the use of Mr. Hawkin's Physiognotrace—I have upwards of 8000 profiles on sheets of paper, which furnishes a very rational amusement as often as I display them to my friends.

I wish this Polygraph had been made one Inch longer, for I find that it is a stretch to get to the bottom of the paper. That Inch in addional length of the Box, & with narrow hinges, longer paper might be used by pushing it up under the Gallows—my desire to make these Machines very small, has rendered several of them of them of very little use, I do not expect to get rid of some I have on hand—These small sizes would do very well to write on octavo paper, but this is not the practice in America. a size that will admit two widths of this Paper between the Gallows, is undoubtedly the better size.

It is with pleasure I see the proposial of giving power to establish a great National School, I hope to put my Museum into such order as to convince those of moderate capacity that it will be an important acquisition to any great seminary of learning. I am very well contented with it as to myself, but I wish to have it in my power to give a part of the value of it to my Children at the beginning of their establishments: when they may most need help. accept my best wishes for your health,

with much esteem your friend

CW Peale

His excellency Tho.^s Jefferson.

Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1806

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"Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1806." Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 21 December 1806

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"Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 21 November 1806." Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 24 December 1806

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"Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 24 December 1806" (p. 1). Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

"Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 24 December 1806" (p. 2). Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

See also

• Bache Silhouette
• Depictions of Wythe

External links

• Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 22 November 1806, Founders Early Access, University of Virginia Press.
• Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 26 November 1806, Founders Early Access, University of Virginia Press.
• Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1806, Founders Early Access, University of Virginia Press.
• Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1806, Founders Early Access, University of Virginia Press.
• Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 21 December 1806, Founders Early Access, University of Virginia Press.
• Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 24 December 1806, Founders Early Access, University of Virginia Press.