51To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 28 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
My son Rembrandt now at Baltemore exhibiting his Skeleton of the Mammoth, writes me as follows. “Saterday there was a young man here, lately (4 weeks) from Pittsburg, who saw Reeder and his Bones. He gave me a very accurate description of them. He has a very fine thigh bone much like mine, an underjaw not so large as mine but a good deal broken, a great number of back bones of different...
52To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
every object which can add to the comforts and conveniences of life are important to us, none more so than that respecting our sight. I know you have improved the frames of Spectacles, and Mr. Mccallister tells me he has sent you a number of Glasses fitted to some of your improved frames—This induces me to write to you on this subject to offer some Idea’s which may have escaped your notice, I...
53To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 20 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
with great reluctance I wrote my last letter to you, for I hold the military profession as the most debasing of human Nature of all other Professions, therefore to recommend a deserving young man was very repugnant to my feelings, independant of my desire to intrude on your precious moments on such a triffling occasion. yet I hope when the passion for a military Coat is worn off & he feels the...
54To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 23 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Model for a very small Polygraph is now before me, to give a proper answer on it, I must first make some machinery to try if it is possible to write to the bottom of 8. vo Paper, and then find room within the Gallows when put down with said machinery. At present it really appears to be impossible for want of height in the perpendicular as well as lengths of the horizontals. however it is...
55To 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...
56To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 18 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday General Proctor called on me with the enclosed Letter to make what use I pleased with it, only reserving him a copy, which I have done. A knowledge of the upper part of the head, is indeed very desirable—The Cranium and Nasal bones particularly, as being wholly deficient in my Skeleton. I marval what are the teeth which he says weighs 19 or 20 pounds, can they be grinders—The largest...
57To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 8 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith I send your silver springs for your Pollygraph according to my promise in my last letter, I do not know whether they are of the proper length, but I know your talents to render them what they ought to be. By the public papers I find the accident you meet with in a fall, I hope by this time that a cure is made of your arm. and, I have read with pleasure your letter to M r Adams in...
58To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your small Polygraph sent by Mr. Hawkins I have at last received from New York. It is ingeniously contrived to raise the paper to write with ease to the bottom of fools-cap size, in this respect complete, but it is too short to write on our common post paper without leaving a large margin. Yet that you may better understand me I will give the measurements &c. The length 15 Inches & width 8 ¼ ....
59To 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,...
60To 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...
61Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It was my intention in this to have given you the particulars of expenditures for & to M r Randolph at my settlement with him on his departure, but I have a variety of bussiness that engrosses my whole attention at this moment, in my next I will do it. I write now only to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 10 th Instant inclosing one hundred & fifty Dollars for the use of M r...
62To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 2 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received the enclosed Pamphlet with Letters from my Sons —they closed their Exhibition of the Skeleton of the Mammoth the 18th. of June, and with every exertion have not been able to pay all their expences in London, are gone to Reading, 40 miles distant from London, The Mayor had been so obliging as give them the use of the Common Counsel Hall; prepairing to put up the Skeleton...
63To 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...
64To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 14 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The Polygraph you desire for Mr. Volney is in the hands of my Workmen, who are pleased in the Idea of shewing their skill in nice American workmanship. I will inform you when it is complete, and shortly send you a Polygraph in Mr. Hawkins mode with the addition of the screw pens. The one you now use may then be dispossed off to some Person in Washington who may wish to have it. Your Letter...
65To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 13 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I now write with your Polygraph by way of tryal, and find that it is absolutely necessary to hold the Pen of the left or West side, the beginning bears a little harder than I could wish in the right hand Pen, but at the other end of the line the pressure is nearly equal, after the first line the difference is scarce perceptible. The Pen-bar being longer than the width of the paralells, renders...
66To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 2 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The machinery to make your Inkpots moovable will be sent by tomorrows post, the only difficulty in the execution of the work, will be to find room to fasten it in the upper board, which is scarcely more than ¼ Inch thick. and as the letting said machinery in that board is absolutely necessary, in order to have room for the brass plate that hold the paper to moove back and forwards...
67To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 19 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 15th Instant received yesterday. The Cabinet work of your Polygraph is nearly complete, it is a neat and good piece of work but without any ornaments of fineering. I am now making tryal of the machinery and finding some advantage by a different length of the horozontal part. I have ordered such to be made as I think will best suit the desk; something shorter than that you have in...
68To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 23 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It is to be regreted that you had not sent sooner, when we might have sent you some of Coll. Humphreis’s Cloath, I could not find either Cloath or Cordduroy. but I have sent by this days Mail as ⅌. enclosed Bill, and Buttons made at Trenton. If you think the Stuff fine enough for your use, it will be necessary in the present season to use flannel Drawers. I have prefered sending two patterns...
69To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 14 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Wishing to find some means of improving the Machinery of your Polygraph, I have since writing the foregoing, examined critically every part, and now pronounce it as perfect as can be made in the present construction of moovement—but must acknowledge that the touch of the Pens at the top is not what it ought to be. This I have found to be the case in some Machines on an larger scale, and where...
70Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Calling on a Watchmaker to day, he told me of a young man who is an excellent artist, that is now in Virginia , I do not recollect at what place, but I believe I was told at Petersburgh , that he did not like the place—I then waited on his brother son of M c M r M c ilhany —who has promised me to write by tomorrows post to his brother and request him to call on you at Monticella
71To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 1 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It will give me pleasure to meet your wishes in every thing which may tend to the benefit and happiness of your grand Son as far as our little means will admit. We do the best we can to train in a good course our several children, & like Randolph, one of them about the same age, whose destiny will depend much on the turn of mind he takes from this period. Mrs. Peale is of a mild & indulgent...
72To 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...
73To 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...
74To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 5 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 27th. Ult. and 1st. Instant I have received.—A Polygraph with the alterations you desire, and also Brunelle’s, which I have borrowed for your inspection, will both be sent by a Packet, said to sail on wednesday next. The defects of the Pens in that which Mr. Latrobe lent you, I can readily account for, therefore it is easily cured. I have much to say on this subject, and doubt not...
75To 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...
76To 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...
77To 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...
78To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 3 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The Baron requests me to present his compliments that he will do himself the pleasure to wait on you with Messrs. Bonpland & Montufar. Doctr Woodhouse also desires me to include his respects that he will also wait on you. Doctr Fothergill is not at present within, but I shall see him this afternoon—& I believe he will isteem your invitation, an honour not to be neglected—& therefore I answer...
79To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 18 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Polygraph will be put into the Mail Stage on tomorrow. Desiring to make it as correct as possible prevented me from sending it sooner. one small deviation from your directions will I hope have your approbation; the top and bottom projecting so much beyond the Gallows as to shew the Riband. That you may have a choice of Pens, I have sent all the variety of Pen-cases. The Polygraph you...
80To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Having finished your Polygraph, I find it performs very well; therefore I have put the Pens as Mr. Hawkins has advised, in lieu of the Nibs, but any contrivance of adding the Screw which I have yet though off, will either make a clumsey addition; encreasing the weight, or make the pen-tube liable to a various direction. Suppose the outter tube was made to screw into the brass arm, where it is...
81To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 1 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Finding that the gallows would not shut down on the Ink holders I therefore cut some of it away, and a jointed piece which I suppose you had made to rest the pens on, was liable to fall and cause a derangement of machinery, to prevent such an accident I have put a piece of spring to keep it up untill wanted—a very little work put the parralels in order, and the supporting springs shortened, or...
82To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 21 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am pleased that I can announce to you what I esteem an important improvement of the machinery of the Polygraph. Thinking on the subject the other day a thought occured that if the arm that connects the two pen-arms had a length nearly equal to the length of the Pen nib from the center of motion it would equalize the moovment. In short the longer the arm that joints with the connecting bar,...
83To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 30 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Mail Stage I have sent you two Polygraphs in one Box. The ease with which writing may be done with either of them, I hope will determine you to send me your Polygraph by the same conveyance, in order that I may put new Machinery to it, which may be done in a few days and returned to you. I have made some improvements in the manufacture of the Machinery to render it more durable and less...
84Charles 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...
85To 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 &...
86To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 8 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 6th. Instant enclosing fifty Six Dollars for the use of Mr. Randolph &c. It is not to be wondered that you should desire the calm of the rural abode and the enjoyments of your improoved Montecella. Will you not want to purchase sundry articles to supply the several tradesmen, which, I presume you chuse to employ on so extensive a farm? besides the wants common to...
87To 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...
88To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 9 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have made all the haste I could to get your pens for your Polygraph, for I well know the uses of that machine, as it has long been my practice to keep copies of letters, because I have desired to leave to my family as full a knowledge of my transactions as possible, consistent with my other labours—but that you may know why I have been more solicitous on this score, know that after the death...
89To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In conversation with a friend this morning as the Indians were leaving this City, he said they were sadly deseased; they had been with the women of bad fame in the lower part of the town and contracted the venerial disease. I have had no opportunity to enquire for the facts of this report, however think it my duty to give you this notice, with the Idea that you will give orders for their cure...
90To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 25 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Puting some of the Machinery togather will complete the Polygraph you intend for Mr. Volney—It is very handsome, I expect will perform better than that you have, and may be esteemed a princely present. One for your use is in hand, and will be made according to the desire expressed in your Letter of the 17th. Instant—the workmanship will be a specimen for you to judge of the merrits of the...
91To 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...
92To 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...
93To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 8 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Several days I have been meditating to write and give you a description of Mr. Hawkins’s improvements on the Polygraph , but as you have returned to Washington, where I will send one as soon as it can be completed for the Secretary of States office , as one has been ordered some time past—I am not sorry for the delay I made—for while I was making some additional improvements to it, that from...
94Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 25 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time past I meet with a gentleman in the Museum who informed me of your extreme indisposition, and from his account of your complaints, I dispaired of ever writing to you another letter, while painting the Presidents Portrait I received the pleasing intelligence of your restored health. Your emminant Labours for the good of mankind will endear your memory to future ages. I will give a...
95To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 24 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Polygraph was nearly finished before I received your favor of the 21st. Instant, and your improvement to command the pull of the spiral Spring shall be made to it. The Machine appears on a short tryal of it, to perform with great accuracy & considerable freedom. The joints are made to fit close without being stiff, and I have thought it best, not to use a single drop of oil in puting it...
96To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just returned from a journey into Montgomery County or your letter of the 1st. Instant would have been answered Sooner. I send enclosed Captn. Lewis’s Catalogue. The specimen of your improvement on the Pen-case shews that the nibs may be held firm, which was wanting in those made by my workmen. and altho’ I have at some expense got a Tool to make the large Screw with a finer thread than...
97To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I was in the country when your note encloseing a Check for fifty Dollars, for the use of Mr. Randolph, arived at the Musm. or I should have acknowledged it immediately. I shall keep a faithful account of the receipts and also of his expenditures as far as comes to my view. I do not discover the least turn of extravagance in him, on the contrary he conducts himself in every respect with...
98Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
soon after my arrival here I wrote to inform you of my object in visiting this place, with the hope that my scribling might not be a burden on your precious moments, and as I had said that I would give you some account of my Portraits, Since I begin to think I shall paint only one or two more at the present time, I will enumerate them. Viz t The President , M r Calhoun , M r Adams , M r Crawford ,
99To 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...
100To 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,...