31Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 24 April 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Occupations from which it was impossible to withdraw have occasioned the delay of acknoleging the receipt of your letter of Mar. 29. on the subject of my portrait in the han hands of mr Stewart . I considered the delay as less important inasmuch as I could not avail my self of the opportunity you proposed of obtaining the portrait. I am unwilling to press mr Stewart unkindly to the delivery of...
32To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 6 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you nearly 2 years ago & was favoured with your reply on the subject of your portrait.—You mentioned that you would feel gratified in receiving a portrait of Mr. Jay & Dr Rush. I now take the liberty of enclosing one of each, which I beg you to accept as a token of my great respect. My work of the biography & Portraits of distinguished Americans is progressing &...
33From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 17 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have recd, with pleasure your obliging Letter of the Sixth. Accept, Sir my cordial Thanks for the Portraits of my Friends Rush and Jay. The latter appears with proper Dignity in his Robes of Chief Justice and the Likeness of the Countenance is correct. What Shall I Say of the former? Dr Rush the last time I Saw him in March 1801, was as upright as a Reed and his Countenance no less animated...
34Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty of enclosing the last edition of the prospectus of my work. By it you will perceive that the Repository will be soon published. The Biography of each character is preparing. My principal object in writing now, is to request your opinion respecting the extent of the biography. Should a Biography be a concise statement of facts and nothing more, or should it be...
35To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 24 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have received you very obliging favour, & thank you for you kindness in promising to sit to Mr. Morse, for your portrait for me. I enclose a letter for him in which I have requested him to wait on you at Your house, and I will pay every expence attending his journey. Do me the favour of sending it to him enclosed in one from yourself, in which be pleased to invite him.— I am extremely...
36From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 30 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of Decr 24th. I have Settled the Plan with Mr Morse. You ask a Sketch of my Life. I was born Octr 19. 1735 in Quincy then the North Parish in Braintree, my Father was John Adams, born in the same Parish My Grandfather was Joseph Adams Junior born in the same Parish, My great grandfather was Joseph Adams senior, and my Great Great grandfather was Henry Adams who came...
37To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 9 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your very obliging favour of the 1st. instant, giving me a sketch of your life, which is highly satisfactory, & for which be pleased to accept my sincere thanks. I shall have the pleasure of speaking to young Dr. Rush, with whom I am acquainted respecting the sketch which you have mentioned. I am glad you have settled the plan with Mr: Morse, to whom be pleased to...
38Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 14 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days ago I took the liberty of requesting your opinion respecting a subject in relation to the work whose prospectus is annexed. If convenient & agreable I shall be extremely happy to receive it.— It appears that M r Stewart evinces no disposition to yield the portrait of yourself. Two or three days ago M r Wood our distinguished miniature painter, in speaking of your portrait, observed,...
39From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 17 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
His Excellency Samuel Adams late Governor of Massachusetts was born in Boston in 1722. His first Education was in the celebrated public Latin School in that City where he was prepared for the University at Cambridge to which he was admitted in 1736. He received his degree of Batchellor of Arts in 1740 and his Degree of Master of Arts in 1743. After his first degree, he entered the store of...
40From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 26 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
You request a Service of Some difficulty, and more delicacy. The Number of Revolutionary Patriots in Massachusetts Patriots of the Revolution was not Small; and all have left Posterity and Connections to dispute with me. But if you demand my Opinion upon honour, I will give it, as it lies in my present Recollection. Samuel Adams, James Otis Junior, Major Hawley of North Hampton, Major General...
41Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 27 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty twice lately of addressing you, and have not been favoured with a reply.— If M r Wood cannot conveniently visit you for the purpose of painting your portrait, I shall request him to make me a copy of your picture in the possession of M r Madison . If, unfortunately this portrait is at M r Madison s’ country seat, I know not what I shall do. I want much to hear from you...
42To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 31 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
Although I caused a Copy of your portrait to be taken for the purpose of having an engraving taken from it, yet, as it has not been executed, and as Mr. Wood our distinguished portrait painter goes to Washington to paint your portrait for me, I think it will serve my work better to have one of you at this age & from the life too, than a mere copy & from a picture painted many years ago. Have...
43Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 9 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the receipt of your letter of Jan. 27. I had received those of Dec. 20. & Jan. 14. which remained unacknoleged. this I am certain you will pardon when I assure you that I pass from four to six hours of every day of my life at the writing table, answering letters in nine tenths of which neither my interests nor inclinations are engaged. this mass of labor obliges me to marshall marshal...
44To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 10 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I received your last obliging letter, & thank you most sincerely for the information it contains. I beg leave at the same time to tender my acknowledgments for the kind & prompt manner with which you have answered my several letters.— The Revd. Dr. Morse informs me that his son’s portrait of you for me, is acknowledged to be the best likeness ever taken of you. I am very happy to hear it. I...
45Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty of writing to you several times lately, & have not been favoured with a reply.— I am desirous to place your portrait & a biographical sketch of your life in the second half volume of my work, & shall do so if it is possible to get an approved portrait of you. M r Wood one of the most extraordinary portrait painters of the present day has been sent by me to Washington...
46To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 26 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty of writing to you by Mr. Wood our distinguished portrait painter to whom I begged you would have the goodness to sit for your portrait which I am very desirous to obtain. I also beg the favour of you to furnish me with a few facts of your life— Birth, parentage, Education, profession Offices &c &c. Not knowing where my letters may find Mr. Wood, I take the liberty of...
47To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 27 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
You had done me the honour of answering my letters to you, so fully, that I had supposed I should never again, perhaps, trespass on your time and attention. I am induced, however, once more, to trouble you. I this day received an anonymous letter, under no date, and bearing the Boston Post office mark. It is very well written, and appears disinterested. It is respectful, liberal, and evinces a...
48From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 5 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
your letter of 27th Feb, has surprised me. Of the writer of the anonymous letter to you I have no knowledge. The portrait taken by mr Stewart is the property of John Quincy Adams my son, taken by his order, often repeated, for six years, from St Petersburg & paid for by his property; I have no right in it, or power over it. Most certainly it will never go from under my roof, with my consent,...
49Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 11 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of duly receiving your obliging favour of the 9 th of February last . You have been pleased to correspond with me much on the subject of your portrait. Being very desirous to obtain it, and fearing that M r Stuart will never be prevailed upon to give up yours, I avail myself of your kind offer to receive in your house, any Artist I might send to further my Work. Accordingly I...
50Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 20 May [1816] (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 11 th is just recieved, and with it the head of Columbus for which accept my thanks. it has been evidently taken at an earlier period of his life than that of the Florentine gallery, which I think you will deem worthy of taking additionally. I shall be happy to recieve mr Otis here, and yourself also should you conclude to come as intimated. I wish it may not be later than the 1...
51To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 23 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I several weeks ago sent Mr. Wood a portrait painter of our City, to Washington, & after writing to you on the subject, requested Mr. Wood to wait on you to paint your portrait. I have not been able, altho I repeatedly wrote to Mr. Wood, to learn whether he painted your portrait or not, & I beg you will do me the honour of informing me by a single line whether you sat or not. I am about to...
52Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just had the honour of receiving your obliging & kind favour of the 20: instant .— I purposd to set out leave this on Wednesday with M r Otis , for your seat , & hope to be there by the first of June or thereabouts.—It is possible M r
53Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
The first half volume of the Repository will be published in a few days. The second half volume is preparing for publication. Among others, for the second half volume, the life & Portrait of yourself & of the late celebrated Peyton Randolph Eq r will be given. The engraving of his portrait is already executed. It is done from his portrait in Peale ’s Museum. It is said to be a pretty good...
54Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 26 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with the request of your letter of the 6 th inst. with respect to Peyton Randolph , I have to observe that the difference of age between him and myself admitted my knowing little of his early life; except what I accidentally caught from occasional conversations. I was a student at College , when he was already Attorney General; at the bar, and a man of established years; and I...
55To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, [ante–22 October 1816] (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the sketch of your life. I feel obliged by your kind attention to me. Justice shall be done to it. I hope, dear sir, you have received, before this, the first half volume of the Repository. If it will not be inconvenient, I should feel proud to receive from you two single lines of your approbation of the work. Something like approving of the...
56From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 22 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the instant. I had previously recd. a copy of the first half volume of the Repository. Of the general object of a work, which is to exhibit the likenesses & lives of selected Individuals, it would be superfluous to express an approbation. In the execution of the work, the essential merit must of course depend on the propriety of the selections, on the...
57Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 26 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your most obliging & kind letter of July 26: together with the particulars of two transactions, and a sketch of Peyton Randolph ’s life. These papers I consider entirely confidential & shall never go out of my hands. Of course, you will never be quoted relative to their contents. I am happy to mention this because you have enjoined it on me to...
58To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 27 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour of acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favour of the 22d instt. As you have enjoined it on me not to make use of the observations contained in your letter relative to my work, because you have not yet perused it, so I shall most strictly comply. As soon, however, as you are prepared to honour me with your opinion of its merits & general execution, which you may permit...
59Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 28 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have already written to you by this mail , & at the same time sent you a pamphlet. I now send your n o of the Repository.— I hope it will be convenient & agreeable to you to give me, if it is only a dozen lines, your opinion of the paper, typography, engravings & plan & importance of the Repository.— I have already mentioned that your opinion with that of M r Madison & others, are to appear...
60Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 11 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve here your favor of Oct. 26. the half volume of the Repository is probably recieved at Monticello where it will await my return. the objections to your work appear to be perfectly answered in the pamphlet you have been so kind as to inclose me. you had a right certainly to chuse your own scale of biography more or less extended, and the shorter as merely an Appendix to your main...
61Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 13 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Upwards of a week ago your R N o of the Repository was sent by the Mail. I shall be glad to hear, if it is not giving you too much trouble, whether You have received it in a perfect state of preservation .— I am happy to inform you that the President has given me his opinion of the work. He also has done me the honour to send, in his own hand writing, the facts of his life .— My work is not,...
62Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 20 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment had the honour of receiving your obliging favour of the 11 instant dated at Poplar Forrest . I am much gratified to find you take so much interest in my work. No work that has ever been published in America , has been so much reviewed & criticised upon, so much censured & praised as the Repository. The Aurora & every other Newspaper in this City, and in different parts of...
63Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have already had the honour of answering Your obliging favour dated at Poplar Forrest Forest . The Biographer , under my inspection, is busily engaged in preparing a sketch of your life for my National work. As soon as circumstances will permit, I shall be happy to receive your candid opinion of the Repository. I beg you not to be scrupulous or delicate. I desire to profit by your remarks &...
64Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 25 December 1816 (first letter) (Jefferson Papers)
My general aversion from the presumption of intruding on the public an opinion of works offered to their notice has yielded in the present instance to the merit of your undertaking, and to your belief, well or ill founded, that my testimony in it’s favor may be of advantage to it. I have written therefore, in a separate letter , which you are free to publish, what I can conscientiously say on...
65Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 25 December 1816 (second letter) (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from Bedford , after an absence of 7. weeks, I found here your favors of Oct. 28. Nov. 13. 20. & 23. with a copy of the 1 st N o of your Repository. but I found also an immense accumulation of letters recieved during my absence, some of which claimed my first attentions. you know my aversion to the drudgery of the writing table. the great affliction of my present life is a too...
66From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 5 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Letter of 24th. of Decr. with the Pamphlet. I am Sorry to see in our American Reviewes an affectation of imitating European Reviewers. They generally discover an unnatural Appetite for Sour Plums: more Sagacity in discovering little faults than great Merits. I will now for a Moment undertake the Office of a Critic, not for publication: but between you and me. In my Opinion you...
67Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I received , duly, your very obliging favour with an accompanying recommendation of the Repository , which I caused to be published in six or seven Newspapers. It was all I could have wished.—I thank you for it most sincerely. It shall be given with a future n o of the Work.— Your life & Portrait are preparing for the second half volume.— M r Madison’s will be given in the 3 d — I should, I...
68Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 17 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have already acknowledged the receipt of your last obliging favours.— I beg you to inform me whether you ever had any children besides M rs Eppes & M rs Randolph —what are the ages of these ladies—and how many children they have and all their names?— What Literary and other societies you may be a member of in this & other countries? or what societies you have been a member of? Where were you...
69From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 20 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of with the preceding one on the same subject. I sincerely wish the success to your Biographical Undertaking which your exertions merit; both for your own sake, and for the gratification it is capable of affording to the Public. But having not yet perused the half volume I possess, I can not say more than was said in the few lines heretofore dropt you. In truth, considering...
70To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 3 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received, within a few days, your portrait, painted by Mr. Morse for me.— I have already informed you that I received an anonymous letter from a lady without date or place of residence, but bearing the Boston postmark, requesting me in urgent terms not to use the portrait for an engraving. Before the portrait arrived, I heard, through various channels, from persons of Boston, that the...
71Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 12 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
My repugnance is so invincible to be saying any thing of my own history, as if worthy to occupy the public attention, that I have suffered your letter of Mar. 17. but not recieved till Mar. 28. to lie thus long, without resolution enough to take it up. I indulged myself at some length on a former occasion, because it was to repel a calumny still sometimes repeated, after the death of it’s...
72Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 14 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of sending to you herewith, your second number of the Repository which contains your portrait & life. With both of which I hope you will be pleased.— I should be happy to hear from you, for my own private satisfaction, respecting the merits of the 2 d n o — My work is so very expensive that it keeps me constantly, even oftentimes without market money.— I take the liberty of...
73Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 30 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14 th got to hand a few days ago only, and with it the 2 d number of the Repository. I now inclose you 12.D. for the 2. numbers recieved & for the next in advance, and will take care in future to keep always in advance. you ask my opinion again of this number. I find the style and execution entirely good. were I to indulge a criticism it would be that you extend to the living...
74Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure, a few weeks ago, of sending to you , the second half volume of the Repository. Being on a visit of business to New York , I know not whether you did me the honour of answering my letter . I indulge a hope that I have given satisfaction to all your family & friends in the life that I have given of you. Certain it is, that I have been highly complimented by many persons for...
75Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am preparing for the Repository, the life of the late illustrious Samuel Adams . I received this day, from Boston , a letter from his worthy Grandson, who in speaking of the scanty materials, says “I presume, that Thomas Jefferson , (the sage & patriot), would furnish you with some important facts.”— Can you do so, D r sir? Any thing you may think of, would be acceptable, to, D r sir, your...
76Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 1 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Mar. 11. was rec d on the 24 th but it is not in my power to give you any information as to mr Samuel Adams . I knew him only as serving with him in the old Congress . the disparity of our ages prevented any particular intimacy being myself the youngest but one in Congress and he I believe the oldest . he was a very operative member a sensible speaker but entirely without...
77From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 17 June 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 10th. inst: preceded by one on the same subject; and have just recd. 2 packets from Cincinnati, as shewn by the post mark. They are addressed to me without letter, or any indication that they were to be forwarded to you. One of the packets consists of several pamphlets, which with the exception of the two herewith enclosed, were heretofore sent you by J. P. Todd. The...
78To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 22 June 1818 (Madison Papers)
I am honoured, this day, with your obliging favour of the 17th: instant. Have the goodness, dear sir, to send to me the Mss &c &c, to which your letter alludes, as soon as possible. With perfect respect & esteem your obedt. & very huml. st. My very best respects & regard to Mrs. Madison & Mr. Todd. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM.
79To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 11 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am prepared, whenever I may have the consent of yourself & family, to commence writing your life for my National Biographical work “the Repository of the Lives & Portraits of Distinguished Americans”, the first volume of which, containing Twelve lives & portraits, is already published.— Pray inform me, from what sources I may derive the materials from which I shall be enabled to complete...
80From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 31 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have not been able, till this moment to acknowlege your Letter of the 11th. You have my full consent to publish whatever you please concerning my Character. My Life can never be written, not even by myself; for it would take me as much time to write it, as it has to live it. You enquire for “Sources:” I know of none better than American Journals Newspapers and Pamphlets; next to them the...