1To 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...
2Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 29 June 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to M r Delaplaine & willingly becomes a subscriber to the publication stated in the Prospectus sent him. he presumes there will be some agent within this state who can recieve the subscription money, the difficulty of making remittances of small & fractional sums to a distance & in a paper recievable there being a principal obstruction to these...
3Thomas 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...
4Joseph 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...
5To 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...
6Joseph 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...
7Joseph 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...
8Joseph Delaplaine and Murray, Draper, Fairman & Company to Thomas Jefferson, 25 February 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
We should derive peculiar gratification from receiving your name as a subscriber to our edition of Macklin’s Bible . Permit us to express our hopes that you will honor us with your name on this occasion. Joseph Delaplaine , & Murray, Draper, Fairman & C o RC ( DLC ); in Delaplaine’s hand and signed by him; addressed (clipped): “ Virginia ”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Mar. 1813 and so...
9From 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...
10Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 18 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 3 d is at hand. I have little doubt that I shall recieve an answer from mr Stewart , either yielding to my request , or stating the reasons why he may wish to retain the portrait longer in his possession. whatever these may be, I should not refuse him, nor indeed in any case press a compliance beyond the request I have made. I will inform you of his answer whenever it shall...
11From 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,...
12From 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...
13From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 19 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 15th. with a prospectus of the “Emporium of the Arts & Sciences,” and a letter from Mr. Jefferson, now returned to you. Considering the plan as formed for solid usefulness, and the execution of it in able hands, I regret that I can not patronize it in the mode, of which so high an example is before me. The numerous applications, incident to the Station I am in,...
14Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 30 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 23 d is recieved, in which you enquire whether there is an approved portrait of myself, by whom painted, & in whose possession? mr Stuart has drawn two portraits of me, at different sittings, of which he prefers the last. both are in his possession. he also drew a third in water colours, a profile in the medallion stile , which is in my possession. mr Rembrandt Peale also...
15From 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...
16Joseph 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...
17From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 7 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Delaplaine. He is restrained by an established rule, from subscribing to works from the Press, but he will thank Mr. D. to reserve for him a copy of that he is about to publish. RC ( LNT : George H. and Katherine M. Davis Collection). JM had probably been asked to subscribe to Delaplaine’s Repository of the Lives and Portraits of Distinguished American...
18To 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...
19Thomas 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...
20Joseph 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...
21Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 9 August 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 28. is just recieved, and I now inclose you the print of Vespucius , which I have cut out of the book, & which is taken from the same original in the gallery of Florence from which my painting was taken. With respect to the portrait in the hands of mr Stewart , I have thought it best to write to him, and to inclose the letter to you for perusal. if you think the object worth...
22From 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...
23To 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...
24Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have commenced the publication of a series of engraved portraits of the eminent men of our country by M r Edwin & Leney in their best style. Have the goodness to inform me whether there is an approved likeness of yourself, who painted by, & in whose possession it is. I think I have understood M r Rembrandt Peale has some time ago obtained your permission to sit for a portrait. Hoping to hear...
25From 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...
26Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 19 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty a few days ago of writing to you on the subject of two pictures which Doctor Barton informed me are in your possession, and at the same time requested the favour of you to forward them to me for the purpose of having engravings taken from them for my national biographical work; I mean the portraits of Columbus & Americus Vespusius . In my letter I enclosed one of the...
27Joseph 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...
28Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 30 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you my subscription , and shall recieve your Emporium with pleasure, and with still greater if the price can be paid to any one in this state. the difficulty of remitting to a distance small & fractional sums has induced me to new withdraw from newspapers and other things published out of the state. a regular knolege of the advance of the arts and sciences in Europe which D r Coxe is so...
29Thomas 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...
30Joseph 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
31To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 29 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have commenced the publication of engraved portraits of the eminent men of our country, by Mr: Edwin and Leney, in their best style. Have the goodness to inform me, whether there is an approved likeness of you, by whom painted, and in whose possession it is. And be pleased also to grant me permission to have it engraved. The portait of Dr. Rush, from a painting by Mr. Sully, is in the hands...
32To 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...
33Thomas Jefferson to Edward Parker and Joseph Delaplaine, 7 [May] 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mess rs Edward Parker & Joseph Delaplaine, and his thanks for the communication of their prospectus for reprinting the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia. possessing already every Encyclopedia which has been published in France , Great Britain & America , & a library moreover vastly beyond his present wants, he has for some time ceased to make additions to it, &...
34To 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 &...
35Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine and to Murray, Draper, Fairman & Company, 4 March 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 25. is just recieved, and I am duly sensible of the obliging motives you express for desiring my subscription to the very magnifi c ent edition you propose to publish of Maclin’s bible. but age and infirmity warn me from engaging in new undertakings which will require for their completion more years than I have to live. the prospectus supposes the work will be compleated in...
36To 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...
37Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 3 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received your favour of the 28 h of August , enclosing your outline of the engraved portrait of Columbus in the work of De Bry . I beg you to accept my sincere thanks for your kindness in giving me such satisfactory information respecting the authenticity of the Portraits of Columbus . I will avail myself of it & when an opportunity occurs will cause a drawing to be taken from that the...
38Thomas 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...
41Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 30 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I took the liberty of writing to you respecting the portraits of Columbus & Americus Vespusius , I am enabled to send you a perfect proposal of my Biographical work , in the first volume of which your portrait & a Biographical skectch of your life will be given. I shall be happy if you will authorize me to put your name with others on my list as a subscriber. With the highest respect &...
42Joseph 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...
43Edward Parker and Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 27 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
We take the liberty of soliciting your name as a subscriber to the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia. This very extraordinary work has already obtained a large share of public patronage in this quarter Edward Parker & Joseph Delaplaine Since the prospectus was printed, Professors Barton of Philad a
44Joseph 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,...
45To 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...
46Joseph 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...
47To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 18 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
It gives me much pleasure to inform you that Mr. Edwin, in a conversation with him this day on the subject of your portrait, feels every disposition to have it brought out in a proper & unexceptionable manner. Accordingly I have placed the picture and also the plate engraved by Mr. Jones, in his hands for the purpose of alteration. Mr. Edwin says he can readily make such improvements as will...
48From 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...
49To 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...
50To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 15 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 May 1812, Philadelphia. Solicits JM’s “patronage to the Emporium of Arts & Sciences … not for the pecuniary value of the subscription, but for the honor of [his] name.” “Mr. Jefferson has favoured me with his name,” as have several members of Congress. Requests JM, if he approves, to write his name on the same paper. If JM declines, requests the return of the prospectus. Also asks that...