From John Jay to Walter Robertson, 15 April 1796
To Walter Robertson
[New York, 15 April 1796]
The Govr presents his Compts. to Mr Robertson & would with great pleasure comply with his Request, and is so far constantly engaged but the Session being just concluded so many public affairs remain to be dispatched that he fears it he will not for some time yet be sufficiently at Leisure— The Govr. has two Portraits drawn by Stewart, one of which is finished,1 and Mr Robertson may at any Time and as often as he pleases have access to him and if a Leisure hour shd. intervene it shall be at Mr Robertsons Service
Dft, NNC (EJ: 08952). Endorsed: “To Mr Robertson / Painter / Stone St. / Ap. 1796”.
1. The finished portrait refers to the one of a pair painted by Stuart of JJ in London in 1783–84, both retrieved and completed by JT. See the editorial note “An American in England” and JJ to Gilbert Stuart, 22 Feb. 1784, , 3: 491, 561. The unfinished portrait refers to the portrait of JJ in his judicial or academic robe. Stuart began the portrait early in 1794, before JJ left to negotiate the treaty with Great Britain. In his absence, a frustrated SLJ kept after Stuart to finish the portrait, with PJM posing for the body. As late as 1808, PAJ described the portrait as unfinished, probably referring to the drapery of the robe. See SLJ to JJ, 2 Aug. 1794, above, especially note 3; PAJ to JJ, 8 July 1808, ALS, NNC (EJ: 06131); and Barratt and Miles, Gilbert Stuart, 120–23. See also JJ to PAJ, 16 Apr. 1798, below.