To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 21 July 1780
From Charles Willson Peale
Phi[ladelphi]a July 21th 1780
Dr Genl
nothing but dire necessity would have compel’d me to have called on you for any money until the end of the War. but you will allow me to relate to you my situation, as it will be my best appolegy.
The House I live in being unexpectedly Sold, I am warned to leave it in a very short time, being unable to get any place to Rent in which I could follow my profession. I have been under the necessity of entering into an Engagement for the purchase of a House. and have promised a payment by the first of next month, in confidence that I shall get it from 3 or 4 Gentlemen for whom, I have done some Bussiness. The portrait of the Marquis is thought very like. yet I hope to emprove it when the Marquis will favor me with another sitting—The other parts of the picture, I will finish with great care without loss of time. I am Dr Genl with great respect you most obedient Humble Servant
Cha. Peale
LB, PPAmP: Charles Willson Peale Papers.
1. In October 1779, GW had asked Peale to inform him of the cost of this miniature, a gift from GW to his sister Betty, so he could make payment (see Betty Washington Lewis to GW, 21 Sept. 1779, n.2; see also , 1:346, and , 233–34).
2. This was actually a three-quarter-length portrait of Major General Lafayette. It is not known when GW commissioned the work, but Peale, who commonly dated portraits with the date he began them, dated it 1779. Peale was still working on the portrait several months after he wrote this letter (see GW to Peale, 12 Dec., MiDbEI, and Peale to GW, 18 Dec., PPAmP; see also Peale to Martha Washington, 16 Jan. 1781, in , 1:359–60). It remained in the Washington and Custis families until presented to Washington and Lee University (see , 117–18).
3. GW apparently sent payment through a third party. On 5 Sept., Peale wrote to GW from Philadelphia: “I Received your favor by the last post Since which time I have been Confined by a fever, however I have sent to every likely place to enquire for Monsr Laurcette but without any success. Business may have detaind him on the Way. Be it as it may, I feel myself under a very considerable obligation to your Excellency for your readiness to assist me” (LB, PPAmP: Peale-Sellers Family Collection, 1686–1963, ser. 7). GW’s “favor” has not been found. In his diary entry for 2 Oct., Peale recorded receipt of twenty-five guineas from GW in payment for the miniature and the portrait of Lafayette (see , 1:352).