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.

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.