To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 16 May 1787
From Charles Willson Peale
May 16. 1787
Dr Sir
Several Gentlemen of the Society of the Cincinati having desired to see my perspective Views with changeable effects, gives me an opportunity of asking the favor of your Company at the Exhibition this afternoon at 1/2 past 4 Oclock.1 I am with much respect your Hble Servant
C.W. Peale
LB, PPAmP: Charles Willson Peale Papers.
1. On 20 May 1785 Peale opened at one end of his portrait gallery an exhibition of artfully mounted and lighted series of painted scenes which he called “Exhibition of Perspective Views with Changeable Effects.” For a full description of Peale’s “Moving Pictures,” see 1:428–33. George Turner, who was elected assistant secretary general at the Cincinnati’s meeting of May 1787, had asked Peale to put on this special showing (ibid., 478, n.3). GW, having the day before “Dined with the Members . . . of the Society of the Cincinnati,” on 16 May “Dined at the President Doctr. Franklins and drank Tea, and spent the evening at Mr. Jno. Penns” ( , 5:157).