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                                         London Sept. 30th 1806
Col. Trumbull,
     Sir,
          This will be handed you by Mr. Fulton, with whom I have had a short acquaintance, & to whom I am under great obligation for advice, & instruction in my professional studies. His merit as an artist & a gentleman are undoubtedly known to you.   My time has passed very pleasantly in London & I have been highly favored with the friendly instruction of Mr. West whom I sincerely venerate, & esteem.     I feel myself almost incompetent, even to begin in the first rudiments of the art in presence of so great an artist.
     I have been drawing in chalk most of the time, & think it will eventually be most to my advantage.   I have painted a few portraits, some I have been for & some I have