1To John Adams from Charles Willson Peale, 13 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The American Philosophical Society, desirous of expressing due Regard for Preeminence in Science and Virtue, have directed an Eulogium to be prepared to the Memory of their late President Dr. David Rittenhouse ; which is to be pronounced before the Society on Saturday next, the 17th instant, in the Presbyterian Church, in Market Street, at 12 o’clock. With the highest Deference, it is...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Willson Peale, [21 April 1771] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society In Compliance with that promise that I had the honor to make you when I was about leaving London, I now assume the Liberty of a Correspondent, in addressing this letter to you. I ever retain a grateful sense of the respect you shewed, and the notice you took of me when in England, marks of respect, of this nature make the strongest...
3To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
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...
4To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, December 1784 (Washington Papers)
since my writing by the last Post I have recd the Twenty five Guineas which you sent by Monsr Loyetta. your Manner of Spelling the Name led me into a difficulty of finding out the Gentleman and I am under some obligation to Mr Marboye the Minister’s Secy, for his assistance in the affair. I am Dear Sir your most obedient humble Servt ADf , PPAmP : Charles Willson Peale Papers. Loyetta...
5To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 31 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have lately undertaken to form a Museum and have acquired the means of preserving in the natural forms, Birds, Beasts and Fish, my Intention is to collect every thing that is curious of this Country, and to arange them in the best manner I am able, to make the Collection amusing and Intructive, thereby hoping to retain with us many things realy curious which would other wise be sent to...
6To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 27 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favor of the Body of the Golden Pheasant, I have received in good condition, although by a stage two Days after the receipt of your Letter. The delay was vexatious, yet I am richly paid in being able to preserve so much beauty. Before this time I had thought those Birds which I have seen in the Chinease paintings were only works of fancy, but now I find them to be only aukerd...
7To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 31 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favor of the 13th I received on the 28th[.] The Pepper I beleive preserved the body from being thrown over board. My Anticeptic Powders I hope will preserve the remains, yet not so perfect as I could wish as many of the feathers fall off. I believe the conveyance by the stage waggon with a particular direction will be the most certain. If you wish to possess any bird, or...
8To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 16 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
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. I am with much respect your Hble Servant LB , PPAmP : Charles Willson Peale Papers. On 20 May 1785 Peale opened at one end of his portrait gallery an exhibition of...
9To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 29 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
With the utmost reluctance I undertake to ask you take the trouble of setting for another portrait, it gives me pain to make the request, but the great desire I have to make a good mezzotinto print, that your numerous friends may be gratified with a faithful likeness (several of whom I find is not satisfied with any of the portraits they have seen). My particular intrest alone in this business...
10To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, June 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging consent to set is confering a most singular favor on me, for which I hope I shall always be found grateful, on the success of this undertaking depends much of my happiness. if I am so fortunate as to make a good, and faithful Portrait, I shall be enabled to gratifie many of your warm friends by excuting a good Print and the practice I lately had in this line is only bringing in...
11To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 8 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
The Drapery and back ground of your Portrait is painted and if it is convenient to your Excellency to favor me with a setting to morrow morning, I will have my pallet sett with fresh ground Colours. I hope and believe this setting will make it equal to any ⟨Picture⟩ from the Pensil of your very much obliged friend & Hble Servt LB , PPAmP : Charles Willson Peale Papers. See Peale to GW, c. June...
12To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 6 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Some Ladies & Gentlemen from Virginia having desired an Exhibition at ½ past 4 oclock in the afternoon of tomorrow gives me an opportunity of requesting the favour of your Company to partake of such Amusement as some of my labours may afford. I am with the highest respect Dr Sir your Obl[i]ged Hbe Servt LB , PPAmP : Charles Willson Peale Papers. GW does not record in his diary attending Peak’s...
13To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 27 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
By this Post I take the liberty of sending a few Prints for your acceptance. I have not been able to Execute a greater number of Plates as yet, but am prepairing some others, which I hope will be published some time in the ensuing fall and Winter. Since you did me the favor of Visiting my Room, several natural Productions have been added, but the most Valuable are a pair of Panthers, male &...
14To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 6 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
Having bussiness in the line of my Profession which will detain me some time in this Place, therefore I take the liberty of intimating, that in case any of your rare Birds should die, that you will oblige me much by sending their remains directed to the care of Captn Elliott of this Town. I am with the greatest regard Dr Sir your much obliged Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Capt. Thomas Elliott...
15To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 27 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I wish to be settled near Congress, and my Museum under their Patronage, having just heard that the office of Post master General is Vacant, if my abilities may be thought sufficient to do justice to such an appointment, I would use my best endeavours to be a faithful servant. Excuse me if I have made an improper tender of my service to fill such an office. I would not in the smallest matter...
16Charles Willson Peale to Tobias Lear, 23 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Museum [Philadelphia] 23 Mar. 1792. Oblige me by using the enclosed cards at your leisure, and I will be pleased if my labors can contribute in the least to your amusements. “I have now the prospect before me that by the assistance of Gentlemen of science, and by the Aid of a Generous Public to be enabled me to spend the remainder of my time in bringing the Museum into such perfection and...
17To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Chas W. Peale’s most respectful compliments to His Excellency Genl Washington and requests to know at what hour tomorrow it will be most convenient, to favor Mr Peale with a Sitting. PWacD : Charles Willson Peale Papers.
18To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
While offering to your acceptance the two enclosed Publications, I am prompted by my knowledge of your attachment to the Arts & Sciences, to intrude upon a few of your leisure moments. I remember in an early stage of the Museum, your obliging recommendation to my attention of the works of Buffon; and since I have been obliged to gain a more critical knowledge of Natural history, his writings...
19To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 9 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 January 1803, Museum. At the request of his friend John I. Hawkins, writes to inform JM of Hawkins’s invention of a machine to multiply copies of writing or music. Hawkins “some time past pondered whether he ought to take a Patent, as one had already been granted for similar purposes,” but inquiry showed “his invention is totally different, being a simple movement of paralell Rulers with...
20To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 14 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 February 1803, Museum. “Be pleased to accept the inclosed. Should you ever meet me in the Museum I may then tell you to whom the letter was originally intended. … It would give me pleasure to be able to trace out the probable progress of the museum while under my care, and to Devise with you the best means for its permanent Establishment.” FC ( PPAmP ). 1 p. Printed in Miller, Selected...
21Charles Willson Peale to Jacob Wagner, 22 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 July 1804, Museum. “I was at New York preserving the Fishes of that Market for my Museum, when your letter respecting the Polygraph was received by my Son Rubins, who has not been inatentive to that business, and by this time one would have been sent, but the workmen had been imployed in finishing one, like the Presidents, ordered for Mr. John Armstrong to be sent without delay to New York....
22To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale (Abstract), 17 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
17 April 1805, “Museum.” “Desireous of having some business done in the Patent Office I have taken the liberty of sending the enclosed Letter. The Guide will shew you some of my progress to bring my Museum into use and public notice. Present my respectful compliments to Mrs. Madison and believe me your friend.” Letterbook copy ( PPAmP ). 1 p. Enclosure not found. Peale presumably enclosed a...
23To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 19 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
The three Polygraphs intended as presents for Tripoli are finished, but finding I was too late to send them round in ⟨the⟩ Vessel which sailed last friday, and no probability of another chance for 3 weeks or perhaps a month, I have thought it best to send that intended for the Tripolian Ambassidor, by the Packet that goes to Apoquinimy sailing this day, and I have wrote to Messrs. Levering &...
24To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 1 April 1806 (Madison Papers)
The other two Polygraphs for Tripoli I have this Day put on board the Schooner Caroline commanded by Captn. Fisher, the Bill of Lading enclosed. The Captn. tels me that he intends to sail on tomorrow. I hope that which went by he way of appoquinomy has arrived in good condition. It was by accident I heard of the present conveyance, for I was led to believe that I could not find a passage by...
25To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 30 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Museum has increased very importantly since your visit to Philada. and the order and management of it meets with the approbation of all scientific men who have visited it, foreigners as well as Americans, every one agreeing in the sentiment that it ought to be national Property. I feel no trouble or difficulty in maintaining its order and extended usefulness, except what now arises for...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, [after 3 December 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Was I under a mistake in expecting the favor of your sitting at One O’clock this day? You will oblige me in appointing the time that will be most convenient, to yourself. I have a great desire to exert my abilities in this portrait, and your indulgence will grately obligate Honored Sir your very Humble Servt., FC ( PPAP : Peale Letter Book); in Peale’s hand; undated, but the letter immediately...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, [13? December 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of sitting today will oblige Your very Hble Servt., FC ( PPAP : Peale Letter Book); in Peale’s hand; undated except as above, but the letter succeeding this one was written after an illness and apparently after some lapse of time on 12 Jan. 1792. The one immediately preceding it is the note to TJ printed at 3 Dec. 1791. Neither Peale’s two notes nor TJ’s presumed replies are...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 22 June 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The first object of my Life is the inrichment of my Museum, In this view, I mean to continue my labours of preserving Duplicates of American Subjects for the purpose of exchanging them for those of other Countries, altho’ I have been rather unfortunate in an attempt of this kind with Sweden —It is 6 years since I sent, by the recommendation of my friend Dr. Collin, some preserved Birds: This...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 6 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Last June I received a Letter from you, respecting an exchange of the Subjects of Natural History, that the Hereditary Prince of Parma was desireous of making. I answered your Letter in the same month (which I hope was received) and although I have had other avocations, such as Bridge building &c., yet I have made a beginning in this work and I have preserved such subjects as have occasionly...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 8 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The terms of approbation with which you mention my Lecture and Museum , afford me much gratification; since I have scarcely a thought not devoted to the perfection of my scheme. From my knowledge of the Interest which you have always felt in whatever concerned the comfort of Man or the Benefits of Society, I am induced to think that even in the important Station to which our Nation has called...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 29 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives me pleasure to inform you that I am so far on my return to the Museum with the Bones which were lately dug up at Shawangunk, in the county of Ulster. with the purchase of these I have also the right from the owner of the land to take up the remainder, when I can be prepared to undertake so important a work. I have viewed the Grounds, and have laid my plan, or rather plans to overcome,...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 24 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Believing you would be pleased in knowing my success in a trip up the north river, by the purchase of the Bones in the possession of Mr. Mastens. Although an object of great importance to me, in undertaking the journey I had very faint prospects of the issue. On my return to New York elated with the hopes of seeing the Skeleton of the Mamoth put togather, I hastily wrote to inform you of my...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 11 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 29th. July I did not receive until I had reached the place of bones, when I should have been pleased to have answered it, had it been possible or proper to have taken my attentions from engagments so earnest & constant. The use of a powerful Pump might have saved me 50 or 60 Dollars expence, but perhaps the obligation to return one belonging to the Public in a limited time,...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The laborious, tho’ pleasing task of mounting the Mammoth Skeleton being done, gives me leisure to attend to other Interests of the Museum. The constant accumulation of articles not only of this but also of other Countries—increasing my imbarrisments to know how to dispose them for exhibition and public utility—these difficulties I expect will be greatly encreased after my Sons have visited...
35Enclosure: Substance of an Address, [ca. 12 January 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
The time is now fully arrived when it has become expedient to decide the fate of the Museum to which Pennsylvania has given birth. It has commanded every exertion in my power for 16 years, and meeting with public approbation has certainly arrived to considerable Maturity; but from the uncertain tenure of human life it may not long continue in the same circumstances in which it has progressed,...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 21 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Receive my assurances of obligation for the politeness and punctuality with which you have answered my question .—Altho’ I conceived it proper, without any loss of time, to make such applications as might insure the preservation and advancement of the Museum, particularly as at the present moment many of the articles are piled in confusion on each other for want of Room; Yet I have determined...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 6 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your obliging letter wrote at the moment you were setting out for Monticello,—I sent to my Son Rembrandt at New York, and I doubt not he will profit by your hints of different times and prices, to seperate and accomodate the Variety of Company that probably will desire a sight of the Skeleton. In order to improve and fit my Son Rubens to conduct my Museum, I have permited him to accompany his...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bone from Mr Jno. Brown I have received to day, and great was my surprise to find it in form corrisponding to the ox, which the enclosed drawing will best explain. It is a proof that the Indian Tradition has a good foundation. It certainly must have been a Buffalo of vast size , for compairing this fragment with the same parts of a common Ox and its size may pretty nearly be computed to be...
39Enclosure I, Diagram: Top of Bison Skull, 10 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
View of the Upper Part From the Suter H the center of the Head to root of the horn I 7 Inches From the place of Insertion of the muscles of the Neck K to the fore part of the upper head broke off at L 10 Inches. The weight of this piece is 35 ℔ MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 124:21495); in Peale’s hand.
40Enclosure II, Diagram: Back of Bison Skull, 10 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
View of the Back part that Joins the neck From A to B 2 feet 5 Inches. Circumference at C 21 Inches. { The Hollow part above F I believe is part of the Cavity to receive the muscles that lift the under Jaw. at G is the inner surface corrisponding, measurement across 9 Inches. That part which should join the hind part comprising the Ear is defficient. ditto at D 17 Inches— E hole for the spinal...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 18 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote last, the 10th. Ult., the head of a Common Ox then before me was so imperfect as to lead me into an error about the width of the horns—since I have procured a head from a Butcher, who did not brake the Scull, which cleaned and free’d from the horns, I find the measurement from pith to pith of the Horns is Inches. I also observe that the difference of form between this head and...
42Diagram: Skull of an Ox, 18 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
View of the back part of the Scull of the common Ox. MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 124:21492); in Peale’s hand, with a line and notation indicating “passage to the Brain.”
43Diagram: Fossil Skull from Kentucky, 18 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
View of Bone from Kentucky, presented the American Philosophical Society. MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 124:21493); in Peale’s hand, with a line and notation on the lower left side of the diagram indicating “Hollow to recieve the Angle of the under Jaw,” a line and notation on the lower right indicating “Passage to the Brain,” and a label across a portion of the diagram, “broken.”
44Diagram: Angles of Skulls and Necks, 18 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 124:21494); in Peale’s hand; his label on the larger angle in the diagram is “The Angle of the head of fossil Bone from Kentucky”; his label on the smaller angle is “Angle of the profile of the Top of the head and the part joining the atlass and neck of the common Ox”; his label near the bottom of the diagram is “NB The dotted lines the curving of each profile.”
45To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 28 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
A Gentleman from Virginia lately viewing the Skeleton of the mammoth, told me that 9 miles from the sweet Springs in Green bryer County, a few months past, was found in a Salt petre cave some large Bones, which they supposed, from the hole in one of Vertebræ’s, measuring 9 Inches in circumference, was of a larger species of the Mammoth than my Skeleton, and that a bone of one of the claws...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Hunter is returned from Kentucky and tells me that the account of the upper part of the Skull of the Mammoth being found at Barry’s Salt lick in Kentucky, is altogather a fabrication, no such bone found there—A New Englander detailed to me the same account except the difference of 2 pounds of the weight, as was afterwards published in a Virginia paper. I am infinitely obliged to you for...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received letters from my Sons dated Octr 14th, about two weeks after they had opened their exhibition of the Skeleton of the Mammoth. They inform me, although but little company had visited the Room yet they were respectable and seemed pleased. my Sons had not then published in the news papers, and probably not known to the Public. they had only thrown out a few hand-bills Enclosed I...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 28 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Physiognotrace invented by Mr. Hawkins is made strong, because subject to be handled by all sorts of People that visit the Museum—The enclosed drawing and explanation of it, is rough, but correct—and I hope will give you a perfect Idea of all the essential parts of it. Mr. Hawkins has also contrived another Index, which is designed to give the lines of a ¾ face; the lines of the hair,...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 14 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed essay on health is dressed to render it more worthy of your acceptance, and in this neither seeking compliments on it, or supposing it can give you any light, but knowing you will appreciate my Motive for making the Publication, that of bringing some of my acquaintance to reflection and then reformation. Should that be the case in a single instance my labour will not be thrown...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 19 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
At last I have received Letters from my Sons in London—their neglect of writing, as I expected, was in part caused by an unwillingness to give me uneasiness at their want of success in their exhibition —but having lowered the price of 2/6 to one shilling for each Visitor, their income is greatly increased; nearly tribled, and some Gentleman who had visited their Room twice since the date of...