1To John Adams from Rembrandt Peale, 17 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of addressing a few lines to your Attention; when it must otherwise be much engaged—I shall therefore be explicit. My fondness to my Professional Art is in some degree known to you; perhaps it may be more so, when I declare, that it is my Utmost Ambition to be eminent in it. My Youth and fondness have supported me as yet in an unfavorable Soil; but I am prompted to hope that...