Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-45-02-0662

To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 6 March 1805

From Charles Willson Peale

Museum March 6th. 8 O’clock P.M. 1805.

Dear Sir

I have just received yours of the 3d instant, and regret that it did not arrive sooner, as it is not in my power to have one finished for tomorrows post, yet I will endeavor to have it sent by fryday’s Mail—The Desk is made and part of the Machinery done, the puting it togather, fixing the Ink pots &c &c, especially as it is a novel size, will engage all our attentions tomorrow,

I did not expect that you would have wanted this small size so soon, and I had this made for a tryal expecting the next would be made for your use. It is rather larger than your design; the length of Box near 15 Inches & 10¾ wide—By a rough model I found that the Machinery to reach to the bottom of octavo size paper would require 13¼ In: inside measure, to have an easey motion—However, this is a handsome size & may be carried with some change of cloaths in a small Trunk

Although you mention your intention of leaving Washington on Saterday, yet I think it proper to try to get this Polygraph there on that day, as something may turn up to keep you one day later,—

with much esteem yours

C W Peale

RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 10 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale-Sellers Papers).

yours of the 3d instant: no letter from TJ to Peale of 3 Mch. has been found or is recorded in SJL.

Peale visited the president on 9 Jan., at which time TJ expressed his preference for a small size polygraph to accommodate octavo-size paper (Peale, Papers description begins Lillian B. Miller and others, eds., The Selected Papers of Charles Willson Peale and His Family, New Haven, 1983-2000, 5 vols. in 6 description ends , v. 2, pt. 2:785; TJ to Benjamin Latrobe, 16 Jan.).

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