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33 Ferry Avenue East, 
Detroit, Michigan, 
February 26th, 1908.

MY DEAR GARI-
Your good letter of the 24th instant came this morning, and in the same mail another letter was received from the President, reading as follows:
“I have your letter of the 22d. I don’t see how I can possibly give sittings of two hours each. I could probably give him two sittings of three hours each if he is willing to work on Sundays. But the other days they must be one hour each, from nine to ten o’clock. Moreover it is out of the question for me to sit anywhere else but at the White House. I could not consider going outside. Sargent painted me at the White House, as well as the others. 
With great regard, believe me, 
Sincerely yours, 
THEODORE ROOSEVELT (Signed)”
I have also heard from Truman Newberry, from whose letter I quote the following sentence:
“I am in the receipt of yours of February 22nd, asking if there is any vacant room in the Navy Building, which could be used by Gari Melchers in which to paint a portrait of the President, and I regret to say that not only is this Building jammed with employees, but the Department has filled up the Mills Building and the annex of the Mills Building, and I know of no accommodations such as you require. It would be a real pleasure to arrange this for you if I could, and I am so sorry that I cannot give you more satisfactory information.”