From George Washington to Charles Willson Peale, 16 February 1787
To Charles Willson Peale
Mount Vernon Feb. 16th 1787.
Sir,
You will receive by the Stage the body of my Gold Pheasant, packed up in wool agreeable to your directions. He made his Exit yesterday, which enables me to comply with your request much sooner than I wished to do.1 I am afraid the others will follow him but too soon, as they all appear to be drooping; whether it is owing to their being confined, or to the Climate, I am not able to say: I am very desirous of giving them Liberty, but the danger of their being taken by Hawks prevents me. I am Sir Yr most Obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in the hand of Tobias Lear, PWacD: Sol Feinstone Collection, on deposit PPAmP; LB, DLC:GW.
1. Peale wrote on 31 Dec. 1786 asking GW to send to him in Philadelphia the carcass of any of the pheasants, presents from Lafayette, that might die. GW agreed to do this on 9 January.