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the first lines & impulsively handed it to the Colonel, saying "Burgoyne is taken.'" but instantly took back the Letter, doubtless deeming it improper to show an unread Letter to an Inferior Officer. The sitting was continued with unchanged Composure till the Portrait was finished - tribute to his domestic affections,

Besides this miniature, my father, as I find in his Journal, written at the time, finished another in December 1777, and made several copies of it - two of which he delivered in person to Mrs. Washington at Lancaster in March 1778 - and another he sent, with a Letter through my father's hand, to be conveyed by Mr. Sheaff as a present to his sister at Fredericksburg Virginia in August 1779. In November 1780 Mrs. Washington sent to my Father three miniatures, to have them set as Bracelets. I have her original Letter which accompanied them.

From one of these miniatures an excellent Engraving has been made, purporting to be Washington at the age of 25. This is a mistake. I have seen the miniature, in the very setting as furnished by my Father, and recognize the painting. most unquest onably, as the work of my Father's pencil, Besides, it is in the Continental - not the British costume as it would have been at the age of 25. It is an undeniable fact, as asserted by my Father, & confirmed by Mr. Custis that he never sat for an Portrait before the year 1772.

My Father painted a whole length miniature for the Marquis de la Fayette, and whole lengths in oil for the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania & Maryland; and one which was sent to Spain, and excellent Duplicate of the one for Pennsylvania is in the Patent Office.

He painted another Original Head of Washington in 1781, and again in 1783; and a whole-length for the College at Princeton, representing the Battle of the Background. The College possessed a Full-length of Geroge 2d. During the Battle, a Bullet from a British Cannon, passed through this Picture, which, thus ominously shattered and disgraced, was of course removed, and my Father's picture now occupies the Royal Frame.

Having mentioned the miniatures of Washington painted for his family during the War, I shall need no excuse for now introducing the Portrait of Martha Washington.

"At the close of each Campaign, an aid de Camp repaired to Mount Vernon, to escort her; and her arrical in Camp, in a plain Chariot, with Postillions in white & scarlet liveries, was always an occasion for general happiness, & a signal for the Wives of other principal officers to join their husbands."
"To her intimate Friends and acquaintances, & to the nation," - says Mr. Sparks - "the character of Mrs. Washington was ever a theme of praise. Affable & courteous; exemplary in her deportment; remarkable for her deeds of charity & piety; unobtrusive, & without Vanity - she adorned by her domestic virtues the sphere of private life, and filled with dignity every station in wich she was placed."

Mr. Custis informs us that Gen. Washington, around his neck, wore the miniature of this excellent Wife, from the day of marriage, through all the vicissitudes of his eventful life till his last days at Mount Vernon.