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combine the results of the sittings given to me and my Father. These attempts were made under the observance of artists and others ready t o criticize a work that might not accomplish something of its purpose, ata period when time had almost consecrated in the public mind, not only the merits, but the peculiarities and even faults, of someof the portraits of Washington. Mr. Stuart's well-established reputation as a portrait painter, induced a persuasive influence that "if Washington himself were to rise from the grave, and not be found to resemble his portrait, he would be denounced as an Imposter"... This logical deduction could not abate the hope, nor retrench the right I possessed, at least to please myself, without a desire to interfered with the opinions or prepossessions of others-and-after three months of extraordinary excitement & undiverted application, in my seventeenth effort a portrait was elaborated which surprised and event satisfied my Father, who had anxiously remonstrated against such a sacrifice of time and mental effort, in what he considered a hopeless purpose. My Father insisted upon bringing Judge Tilghman and Judge Peters to confirm his opinion; and from their report my studio was crowded with uninvited visitors, That Portrait is now in the Senate Chamber at Washington. My Portrait This Duplicate likeness I have generally chosen as my Model for the Copies I have made- give it as equally my original, being executed simultaneously with the Senatorial one- Judge Washington sometimes preferred this sometimes the other. My Father preferred this. My Portrait of Washington was painted simply for my own gratification, with no other view than to have it as my Companion in Europe, which it afterwards proved to be in England France & Italy- at first caring for no other approbation beyond that of my father, by reason of his long acquaintance with Washington, & the numbers Portraits of him which he had painted. The Picture was taken to Washington & placed in the ante-Senate Chamber for public inspection. Judge Marshall here recommended me to procure in writing the opinions of contemporaneous judges, as a duty which they owed to their country and to Posterity; and consequently gave his own in forcible expressions of approbation. His advice was taken, and Letters were received from the most intimate friends and Relatives of Washington repeating in each instance the language they had previously and spontaneously uttered...I repeat the words previously and spontaneously, in contradiction to Newspaper assertions that their names were appended to prepared Certificate- and imputation inconsistent with the high character of those Gentlemen who were pleased to give their written opinions. Judges Marshall: Peter Washington Cranch & Thantecher; Governor Walcott & Howard; Carroll of Carrollton; Bishops White Colonel Talmadge; Wm. Rush and others....these letters were published during the lifetime of their responsible authors The originals are preserved in this volume extracts from which are printed in these pamphlets. Judge Washington, who was a frequent visitor at the Capitol, one day took me aside to say that when he viewed the Portrait at a distance it seemed less like than when seen near- he thought there was something wrong about the
