Peter Perpignan (ca. 1787–1832), jeweler and watchmaker, arrived in Philadelphia in May 1807 from Havana, Cuba. By 1809 he had set up shop there as a goldsmith, and he continued to work as a watchmaker and jeweler until at least 1825, despite a period of insolvency in 1819. Perpignan served in the Pennsylvania militia during the War of 1812, and he owned one slave in 1820. He died in Philadelphia (DNA: RG 36, PLVP; James Robinson, Directory for 1809 [(Philadelphia, 1809)]; Philadelphia Democratic Press, 9 Dec. 1814; Philadelphia Franklin Gazette, 19 Mar., 10 June 1819; DNA: RG 29, CS, Pa., Philadelphia, 1820; [Thomas Wilson], Philadelphia Directory and Stranger’s Guide for 1825 [(Philadelphia, 1825)], 110; Philadelphia Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 21 June 1832).

On this date Perpignan also sent letters with copies of the same enclosed representation, not found, to John Adams and James Madison (MHi: Adams Papers; Madison, Papers description begins William T. Hutchinson, Robert A. Rutland, John C. A. Stagg, and others, eds., The Papers of James Madison, 1962– , 43 vols.: Congress. Ser., 17 vols.: Pres. Ser., 11 vols.: Retirement Ser., 3 vols.: Sec. of State Ser., 12 vols. description ends , Retirement Ser., 2:670). In his reply of 4 Mar. 1823, Adams thanked Perpignan for his “infinitessinal miniature of President Washington,” although he “cannot see it even with the help of a solar microscope.” However, Adams reassured him, “the young-eyes of my family & friends say that it is as good a Likeness of him as they have seen from any pencil or chisel” (FC in Lb in MHi: Adams Papers).