To George Washington from Samuel Powel, 25 July 1787
From Samuel Powel
[Philadelphia] Wednesday 25 July 1787
Dear Sir
I have just seen the Coach-painter, whose prices are as follows
| chariot Ground | that is painting the Body | £ 5. |
| Solid Gilding | that is the whole Moulding | 5. 5. |
| Full do | that is in all the Hollows | 3.15. |
| Half do | that is only round the | 2.10. |
| Pannels | ||
| Ornaments | that is Arms &c. | 3. |
| Painting the Carriage | 2.10. | |
| Gilding the Springs | 2.10. |
At the above prices, the Chariot Body is to be painted in Varnish, the Surface polished & reduced to a perfect Smoothness—In this Case no Varnish is put on after the painting is perfected. There is another Mode of doing the Work, which is by painting first & varnishing after the painting is perfected, which looks very well but is not equally durable. This last Mode lessens the Expence £2.10.
The Painter informs me that it will take from four to five Weeks, according to the Weather, to perfect his Work. I have not made any Sort of Contract or mentioned any Name to him but, simply, demanded Price & Time. The Coachmaker is from Home so that I do not yet know the Price of Lining, but ⟨sh⟩all know it to Day. I am, with great Respect Dear Sir, Your most obedt humble Servt
Samuel Powel
The price for lining is £3 exclusive of the Cloth & Lace. A tolerable Cloth may be had, as the Coachmaker tells me, for 32/ ⅌ Yard—It will take about Five Yards—Lace from 15d. to 2/ ⅌ Yard—about 20 Yards of Lace—One Week will be required for lining a Chariot.1
ALS, ViMtvL.
1. See GW to Powel, this date.