I have received Sir, your letter of the 13th. and regret that I cannot find among my papers the letter of Chief Justice Marshall to which you refer. Such a letter was certainly presented to me, and left an impression very favorable to your talent in taking likenesses.

As your portrait of Mr. Marshall doubtless exists and his opinion of it can thro’ his family be obtained as well as their own opinion, it would seem that a source of evidence can be appealed to which I hope will do you justice on the occasion and render the loss of the letter in question or any defect in my recollection of it immaterial. With friendly respects & good wishes