1From 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 I will now for a Moment undertake the Office of a Critic, not for publication: but between you and me.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...
2From 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,...
3From 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...
4From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 12 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you kindly for the Portrate of Mr Jay, which I very much admire, it is a great likeness it is stamped with wisdom sagacity, and benevolence as they have been, stamped upon his Countenance and Conduct, all his Life time.—I have delivered your formal letter to Mr Charles Shaw, to Mr William Smith Shaw the superintendent of the Boston Atheneaum and I shall deliver that inclosed with Mr...
5From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 8 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
There are several things abroad which are reported to have been intended as pictures of me; some of them drawn by persons who never saw me. others by persons who never saw me to whom I never sat and others and others by painters who requested me to sit. I pretend not to be a judge of the merit of any of them. But there is not an approved likness among them. The least approved of all is one...
6From 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...
7From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 23 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
Portraits or Busts, of Men or Women taken in Old Age, which as Ossean says, and says truly is dark and unlovely are always disagreeable; much more so are those taken after Death or in Articulo mortis The Portraits of Dr Franklin taken when he was eighty four were no more like him, in the middle of his Age or even when he was seventy years Old than they resembled those of Voltair I delight to...
8From 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...
9From 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...
10From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 24 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
Portraits, or Busts, of Men or Women taken in Old age which as Ossian says, and says truly is dark and unlovely, are always disagreeable, much more so are those taken after death, or in articulo mòrtes The Portraits of Dr Frankline taken when he was eighty four, were no more like him in the middle of his Age or even when he was seventy years old, than they resemble those of Voltair. I delight...
11From 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...
12Enclosure: Joseph Delaplaine’s Prospectus for an American Travel Guide, [by 9 February 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
H. C. CAREY & I. LEA intend to publish, A COMPLETE PICTURE of the UNITED STATES. THIS work is designed to comprehend the various subjects of population, (with a brief view of manners and customs,) soil, climate, lakes, bays, rivers, canals, and inland navigation generally. Mountains, bridges, roads, and antiquities.—Natural and civil history, as far as the plan will permit;—with an account of...
13Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I am compelled, from necessity, to resort to London for my re Portraits . M r Edwin , on whom my principal reliance was placed, has been unabled for a long time, by an affection of the gout in his head, to execute any portraits for me. Our eminent portrait painter M r Wood is engaged in making copies from original pictures of revolutiona r y characters, which, together with original portraits...
14To 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...
15Joseph 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...
16Joseph 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...
17Joseph 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,...
18Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you m a y be pleased with the 3 d half vol. of the Repository which I this day send to you.—Can you favour me with a line? RC ( DLC ); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “ Tho s Jefferson Esq r Monticello Virginia ”; endorsed by TJ as received 31 Dec. 1818 and so recorded in SJL ; additional notation by TJ beneath endorsement: “
19To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 5 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
A few weeks ago I had the honour of informing you that I have a fine portrait by King, of your distinguished son, the Honourable John Quincy Adams, in my National Gallery of portraits.—I took the liberty at the same time, to request the favour of you to forward to Charles Shaw Esqr. of Boston, a package which I then enclosed to your special care.— A letter which I had the honour of receiving...
20Joseph 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...
21Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour, some considerable since, of sending to you , for your kind acceptance, in the name of the author, a poem by my friend M r Charles Mead .— From a gentleman of your distingu i shed character, and well known cultivated taste, I know it know Would be gratifying to M r Mead to receive an opini o
22To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Delaplaine, 20 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
This is the third time I have had the honor of addressing you within a few days. My first communication was transmitted with a printed account of the proceedings of the 4th. of July, in this place; which I intended to produce as a testimony of the esteem in which I am held by the people, and as a proof of my Strong regard and attachment for yourself. My very respectable friends and relatives...
23To 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...
24Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favoured with your obliging letter of the 9 th instant , accompanied by another to M r Gabriel Stuart , and at the same time received your engraved portrait of Americus Vespusius in perfect safety. For these marks of your kindness be pleased to accept my sincere thanks The print of Vespucius is much admired by our artists, and is to be engraved in the line by one of our best...
25Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 24 April 1812] (Jefferson Papers)
I will take it as a particular favour if you will give me your name to the Emporium of Arts & Sciences . The value of the subscription is nothing, it is the honor of having your name I am anxious for. RC ( DLC : TJ Papers , 191:33940); undated; subjoined to enclosure; addressed: “Honorable Thomas Jefferson Monticello Virginia”; postmarked Philadelphia , 24 Apr.; endorsed by TJ as received from...
26To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 23 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have commenced the publication of a series of Engraved portraits of the emminent men of our country, by Mr. Edwin & Leney, in the best style. Have the goodness to inform me whether there is an approved likeness of yourself, who painted by, & in whose possession it is. Mr. Edwin & myself have talked on the subject. He has shown me a small painting of you which I fear is not an approved...
27To 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...
28Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favoured with your very obliging and satisfactory letter respecting the portraits of Columbus & Americus Vespusius ; and shall avail myself of your kind offer whenever an opportunity offers. I have taken the liberty to mention your name in the prospectus enclosed, & hope it will meet your approbation.— M r Madison , & the different heads of departments have given me their names as...
29Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I by no means wish to trespass upon your time even for five minutes; but if there is any subject in which you may feel interested enough to see in the picture of the United States , in relation to your quarter, depend upon it I shall feel great happiness in its insertion.— RC ( DLC ); addressed: “ Thomas Jefferson Esq r Monticello Virginia ”; franked; postmarked Philadelphia , 14 Feb.;...
30Joseph 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...