1To James Madison from John Trumbull, 4 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
May I beg your acceptance of the enclosed “Description[”] of the Four paintings which I executed under your Auspices, & which are now finished, & permanently placed. I thought well to accompany each subject with a Sketch of the History of the Event: & hope that what I have said, may meet your approbation. There is also, in the introduction, an allusion to the favorable impression made by my...
2To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 9 February 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Washington DC Feb y 9th 1824 Rec d of Tho s Jefferson Esq through the hands of John Barns Esq r $65.25 for two prints of the Declaration of Independence & the framing of them— $65.25 Wolcott Huntington Agent for Col o Trumbull MHi .
3To James Madison from John Trumbull, 20 October 1823 (Madison Papers)
Your Favor of the 11th. inst. is before me; an opportunity of sending your print to Washington offers tomorrow by a fast sailing packet. I have therefore enclosed it in a tin tube, and that in a wooden Case, and addressed it to Mr. Cutts, to whom the Captain Lynch promises to deliver it. I hope it will reach you in perfect safety, & meet your approbation. The price of the print is Twenty...
4To James Madison from John Trumbull, 1 October 1823 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ From John Trumbull. Letter not found. 1 October 1823, New York. Offered for sale in the American Art Association, Catalogue of President Madison’s Correspondence from American Statesmen and Patriots American Art Association, Illustrated Catalogue of President Madison’s Correspondence from American Statesmen and Patriots … Collection of the Late Frederick B. McGuire (New York, 1917). , 26...
5To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 1 October 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have omitted to reply to your most welcome & kind Letter of the 15 th of July, until I could announce the Completion of my print of the Declaration of Independence. I have now the pleasure to say that not only the Engraving has been finished with great beauty, but that the printing has also been executed with uncommon success. The sloop Virginia which sails tomorrow for Richmond, will convey...
6To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 1 October 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
D r Thomas Jefferson Esq r Monticello Virginia to John Trumbull For Two prints of the Declaration of Independence With keys & description } 40. Bill of Parker & Clover for frames & Glasses—ea $12 24. Packing Case 1.25. 25.25. Doll s 65.25 New York 1 st
7To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 28 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I avail myself of the offer of your agent Who is on his way from Italy with marble Capitals &c for your College, to recall myself once more to your remembrance: and have great satisfaction in acquainting you that the Engraving from my picture of the declaration of Independence is very nearly completed. M r Durand the Engraver is a young man born & educated in this vicinity, who has acquired...
8Enclosure: John Trumbull to “Detector,” [ca. 20] October 1818, enclosure no. 2 in John Trumbull to Thomas Jefferson, 23 … (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Trumbull returns his thanks to Detector , for having given him an opportunity of laying before the public some account of the origin and progress of the Painting of the Declaration of Independence, which he could not otherwise have done, without being liable to censure for egotism. After the termination of the war of the Revolution, Mr. T. determined to study the art of Painting, for the...
9John Trumbull to Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Satisfaction to acquaint you that my painting of the Declaration of Independance is finished (as far as it can be, until I see it in its place at the Capitol )— and, with permission of the President , is now publi c ly exhibiting in this City :—It has excited some attention, and has drawn forth one Criticism of so malignant a Character that I felt it necessary immediately to reply...
10John Trumbull to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Although I am aware how severe a Tax must be imposed upon your time by an extensive correspondence, yet trusting that you must feel some interest in the progress of the work in which I am engaged, I cannot refrain from informing you that I have made considerable progress in the large picture of the Declaration of Independance, for the Capitol . I devote my time entirely to that as being most...
11To John Adams from John Trumbull, 26 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
You will forgive my long delay in replying to your very interesting & confidential favor of the 18th. March:—I was reluctant to write until I could inform you that I had made some progress in the work so honorably confided to me by the Nation. You justly observe that the intended size of the paintings appears to you vast:—They will considerably exceed the dimensions of the descent from the...
12To James Madison from John Trumbull, 26 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
I feel it my Duty, to give you some account of the progress which I am making in the Work which the Government of the US was pleased to confide to me during your Administration & in which I flatter myself with the hope you feel some interest. It has proved impossible to procure in this Country Cloths of the Size required, & to have them properly prepared. I feared this, & therefore as soon as...
13To John Adams from John Trumbull, 3 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
You will forgive my having so long delay’d to reply to your very kind letter of January 1st., when you know that I have waited until I could write with certainty: and I did not feel that I could do this, until I knew the decision of the house of Representatives on the agreement made with me by the President:—the passing of the Appropriation bill by that house, including a Sum on account of...
14John Trumbull to Thomas Jefferson, 3 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I trust you will forgive my having so long delayed to answer your very kind letter of January 10 th —the reason has been that I could write nothing with certainty, until by passing the appropriation bill , the House of Representatives had sanctioned the agreement which was made with me by the President I have now the pleasure to say that I am authorized to paint four of the great Events of the...
15To John Adams from John Trumbull, 28 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 1st. of this Month was received by me here on the 6th. I will not attempt to express to you the feelings which were excited in my mind by its kind & approving Language—to have the approbation of the first benefactor & most eminent patriot of my Country gratifies my proudest ambition. You also will be gratified to learn that in this instance Our Country has departed from...
16To John Adams from John Trumbull, 26 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
Twenty Eight years ago, I had the honor of painting in London your portrait in my picture of the Declaration of Independance,—the long succeeding period of War and Calamity palsied and suspended thy progress in the work of which that picture was a most important part. Peace is at length restored; I have resumed my task; that Picture is finished; Trenton, Princeton & York Town are far advanced;...
17John Trumbull to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Twenty eight years have elapsed since, under the kind protection of your hospitable roof at Chaillot , I painted your portrait in my picture of the Declaration of Independance, the composition of which had been planned two years before in your library: the long succeeding period of War & Tumult palsied & Suspended my work, and threw me, as you know into other pursuits Peace is at length...
18To John Adams from John Trumbull, 19 October 1805 (Adams Papers)
‘Till I received your last of the 4th: instant I had no idea that you doubted the truth of Washington’s letter relative to the capture of Cornwallis and supposed you only questioned the propriety of his allowing a letter to be published, in which he appears to boast of his success in stratagems. You express a wish that "the veracity of the letter might be established beyond all cavil." I can...
19To John Adams from John Trumbull, 16 September 1805 (Adams Papers)
Returning to Hartford in the course of our Circuit, I found your letter, of July 27th. & August 5th: which had lain a month in the Post Office. From some appearances, I am led to believe that a correspondence so free as ours has been, cannot with perfect safety be carried on at present—I will however answer some of your enquiries. The letter You remark on, relative to the capture of...
20To John Adams from John Trumbull, 24 February 1805 (Adams Papers)
On my return from the Sessions of our Court at New London, I had the pleasure of finding here your letter of the 6th Instant. I thank You sincerely for your affectionate remembrance, and am happy to find that you enjoy in your retirement, an undiminished share of health, and spirits; and without casting "One longing, lingering look behind", view the world only with that eye of curiosity and...
21To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 10 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Communications are preparing by the Board of Commissioners acting under the 7th. article of the Treaty between the U.S. of America & Great Britain, to Mr King the American Minister here;—and by the American Comrs. to Mr Madison the Secry. of State, explaining the doings of the Board, in respect to the appointment of Mr. G. W. Erving to the double Office of Agent for American Claims, & Assessor...
22To John Jay from John Trumbull, 22 October 1801 (Jay Papers)
It is with real mortification & regret that I observe the Date of your last letter:— You will think that I have made a most extravagant use of the Privilege which the ancient Law gave to new married men— when I tell you that it was written on the 6 th . June 1800— it reached me about the time that I threw off the rusty character of Batchelor & in the Bustle of such an Event it was mislaid &...
23To John Adams from John Trumbull, 21 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
Returning last night in the course of our Circuit, I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 8th. Instt: Notwithstanding the extreme fatigue I have undergone in the last fortnight, in attending the Sessions in two Counties in weather as severely hot as I ever experienced, & from an almost total loss of rest all the last week, owing to the decided attention, which my numerous companions in...
24To John Adams from John Trumbull, 24 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
In my last, I asserted that Connecticut would continue firm against all efforts of the present factions. Our Freemen’s Meetings are now past; & notwithstanding evry exertion of our Jacobins, their expectations have been wholly disappointed. We are not ripe for revolutions, but are generally decisive adherents to our present governments & our antient institutions. The facts & observations...
25To John Adams from John Trumbull, 4 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have been absent on a Journey to Newhaven, or I should sooner have acknowleged the receipt of your letter of the 12th: Ult. As I never doubted that the reports concerning the conversation in question, originated chiefly from that Spirit mentioned in your Postscript, I was gratified by the account you gave me, principally as it enabled me positively to contradict many unfounded assertions...
26To John Adams from John Trumbull, 6 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your Friends in this Town were exceedingly disappointed, that they had not the pleasure of seeing You on your return from Philadelphia, but supposed that an Inclination to view a part of Connecticut in which You had not before travelled, & visit the State of Rhode Island, induced You to vary your accustomed route. A report has since been triumphantly circulated, that You changed the course of...
27To John Adams from John Trumbull, July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your Friends in Hartford were exceedingly disappointed, that they had not the Pleasure of Seeing writing or seeing You on your Return from Philadelphia, but supposed, that an Inclination to seeing visit a Part of the State of Connecticut in which you had not travelled, & visit the State of Rhode Island, induced you to vary your accustomed Route. A Report has since been triumphantly circulated,...
28To George Washington from John Trumbull, 5 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to receive your favour of the 25th of June last, some weeks ago; I am very much obliged to you for what you have done respecting the Prints but sorry that you should have had so much trouble with them. The wonderful Events of this Campaign in Europe have entirely contradicted my speculations of last Spring, and have at least removed to a greater distance the Danger which I...
29To John Jay from John Trumbull, 3 June 1799 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you on the 25 th . March last, since when I am not honored with any of your Favors. The British Government has received official information of the Suspended State of the Commission in America, in consequence of the secession of the two American Gentlemen on the Question respecting the Claim of D r : Inglis. I have seen the printed case, & I think that Gentlemen there carry certain...
30To John Jay from John Trumbull, 25 March 1799 (Jay Papers)
Since I wrote to you last on the 20 th . Sep tr : I have been honoured with your two Letters of the 29 th . Sep tr . and 12 Dec er . last, for both which I beg you to accept my thanks. Our Business of the Commission creeps slowly on, and we are obliged to wend our way cautiously through the numberless obstacles & Delays which the ingenuity of Doctors Commons, or the complicated forms of...