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To Francis Hopkinson
Mt. Vernon Mar 6 1785

Dear Sir

"In for a penny in for a poind" - is an old adage - I am so hackneyed to the touches of the Painter's pencil, that I am now altogether at their beck, & sit like Patience on a monument, while they delineate the lines of my face. It is a proof among many others, of what habit & custom can effect. At first I was as impatient t the request, and as restive under the operation, as a Colt is of the Saddle; the next time I submitted very reluctantly, but with .. flouncing - noy no Dray - Horse moves more readily to the thill, than I do to the Painter s chair, it may therefore be easily conceived that I yielded a ready obedience to your request & views of Mr. Pine &c. 

signed G Washington 

This Painting, which I have made from a tracing & a Photograph of the original, will give some idea of the Portrait in the possession of Mr. Carson Brevoort of Bedford, Long Island. About the year 1790, Mr. Wright, at the request of Frank Hopkinson, painted a small Head of Washington, scarcely to be known as a likeness; through Copies of it gained him some reputation in London. 

Literary authors are permitted, without ceremony, to express their opinions of contemporaneous works, not so with artists. Whatever they may think, even of rival productions, it is expected of them to practice the most forbearing delicacy; leaving the important task of criticism to willing amateurs, or incompetent connoiseurs (sic), to lead or mislead the public judgement; yet, as it may be expected of me, especially at my age, & on this occasion, I shall candidly express my opinion of such of the Portraits of Washington as I have known. 

From the year 1772 till the year 1790, with the exception of some profile sketches, there were no Portraits of Washington, known or acknowledged as likenesses, but those which where painted by my father, Charles Willson Peale. They were natural & like, and highly valued; but I have criticized them as sometimes wanting energy or expression, withnose & eyes defectively small - The Portrait of 1772, being least liable to this objection.

In the Portrait, painted by Mr. Pine, the forehead is evidently too retreating; but it possesses some touches of living character, which give it a certain interest & value. This Portrait somehow found its way into Canada, where Mr. Brevoort purchased it without knowing its author till I recognized it. 

In 1786 my Father, with more ample leisure, painted a Portrait of Washington for his Gallery; and then began my distinct acquaintance with the Countenance I had so early learned to venerate. During the Sittings for this Portrait, I stood behind my father's chair, to watch its progress under the influence of familiar conversation. This left impressions on my memory advantageous to my future studies. 

This Portrait, now in the Bryan Gallery, is only a Headsize, and was then thought to be the best that had been taken of Washington. It was copied by my Uncle, James Peale, on a larger Canvas - adding the figure in Military