Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-44-02-0136

To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 24 July 1804

From Charles Willson Peale

Museum July 24th. 1804.

Dear Sir

The enclosed pen-cases I flatter myself will be found very convenient, the slits are made longer for the stay-pin to moove a greater distance, & therefore will require less attention to the length of the quill.   on reconsidering the last paragraph of my letter of the 22d, I have thought that a sketch in addition would have better illustrated Mr. Latrobes improvement of the cover of the Polygraph, & a few lines, such as the following will suffice. The Cover capable of being removed wholly, and when placed, secured to the back part with hooks &c, and when the front part is down, locked at the bottom.

Shut up.

The front opened has this, not unsightly appearance, for a Public office, and that boxed top, convenient to keep papers from being blown away.

We are much pleased with the profiles done by my Son Raphaelle. I wish he had also taken some of Mr. Madison and of Mr. Gallitine—but he had no other object then, for his journey to Washington.   I am greatly obliged to you for the curious Lizard of Louisiana, which it certainly is, and not a Toad. It shall not be exhibited untill the osage Indians are on their return. I have not yet had time to examine Authors to know if it has ever been discribed, if not, I mean to give a drawing of it to the Philosophical Society for their next Volume, A few lines of your Pen of such information on it as may be in your power, will I know, be highly acceptable to the Society.

I vallue the few specimens of Minerals which you presented to the Museum when I was at Washington, and if you can conveniently find and send me, a memorandom where found, it will enable us to note it in the Catalogue.

accept assurance of my regard, and believe me your friend

C Wn: Peale

RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 July and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale-Sellers Papers).

For the horned Toad that accompanied the Osage delegation to Washington, see William Clark and Meriwether Lewis to TJ, 18 May. Peale did contribute a drawing of the lizard to the American Philosophical Society, but possibly from a specimen obtained the following year (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. 2:743).

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