Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 3
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To REVEREND JONATHAN BOUCHER
Mount Vernon, May 21, 1772.

    Dr. Sir: Inclination having yielded to Importunity, I am now contrary to all expectations under the hands of Mr. Peale 58 ; but

[Note:Charles Willson Peale was born in Maryland in 1741; died in Philadelphia in 1827. He studied under John Singleton Copley and Benjamin West. ]
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in so grave -- so sullen a mood -- and now and then under the influence of Morpheus, when some critical strokes are making, that I fancy the skill of this Gentleman's Pencil, will be put to it, in describing to the World what manner of man I am. 59 I have no doubt of Mr. Peale's meeting with very good Incouragement in a Tour to Williamsburg; for having mentioned him to some Gentlemen at our Court, they seem desirous of employing him in his way down.

[Note:Washington's diary for May 19, 1772, states that at Mount Vernon on this day he "found Mr. Peale & J.P. Custis. 20. I sat to have my picture drawn. 21. I set again to take the drapery. 22. Set for Mr. Peale to finish my face." His ledger contains the following items entered under May 30, 1772:

  •    By Mr. Peale, Painter, Drawing my picture £18.4.0


  •    Miniature ditto for Mrs. Washington 13.


  •    Ditto ditto for Miss Custis 13.


  •    Ditto, ditto, for Mr. Custis 13.


  •    57.4.0


    •    This portrait is the earliest and one of the best known portraits of Washington. It represents him standing (an almost three-quarter length, full front) clad in the uniform of a Virginia colonel, with neck gorget and sword; the left hand holds a musket behind his back, the barrel protruding over the left shoulder. His right hand is thrust into his waistcoat at his chest. The face is more youthful than might be expected, as Washington was 40 when the portrait was painted. The explanation is advanced that it was intended to show Washington as he looked in 1756 -- 1758. ]

        Your excuse for denying us the pleasure of your Company, with Governor Eden and Lady, tho not strictly warranted by Scripture, is nevertheless highly admissable, and I sincerely congratulate you upon the prospect of happiness; as I think there is a fair Field of it opening to your view, from the judiciousness of your choice -- Whether Mrs. Washington ever stretches as far as Annapolis or not, we shall certainly take some very early opportunity of making your acquaintance on this occasion.

        May 23.

        The foregoing Letter was designed to go by Jack Custis, who intended, as he said, but afterwards altered his mind; to take the benefit of a Ball at Alexandria on Thursday Evening, in his way home the next day. -- In the interim Joe brought me your

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    favor of the 21st, forbidding us any longer to hope for the pleasure of Govr Eden and Lady's Company; which we had been flattering ourselves with the honor of, for several days; and which I now beg the favor of you to assure them we regret; at the same time I am further to ask you to apologize to Mr Eden for my not paying my respects to him at Mr Digges; which I fully intended to do, but falling under Mr Peale's hands that morning in a regular Rot[ation, he kept] me so long, knowing that it w[as his custom] of asking, that I had not time [to visit him bef]ore Dinner, and the Govr You wrote me he was to set out for Mr Rogers after it. -- Be pleased to assure Mr and Mrs Eden, which you may do with great truth, that Mrs Washington and myself shall think ourselves very happy in seeing them at Mount Vernon whenever they can make it convenient to give us the honor of their Company.

        I find upon enquiry that, it will not be in my power to supply you and Mr Calvert with the Weathers you want; the Rot, or some other distemper among my sheep swept off near an hundred, in the Space of a Month, this Spring for me. -- I am much obliged to Mr. Galloway 60 for the Claret, and as I have no immediate use for it (having a Box or two by me) I must trouble Mr. Digges 61 for House Room for it till I return from my trip upward.

    [Note:Samuel Galloway, of Maryland, brother of Joseph Galloway, of Pennsylvania. He adhered to the Crown in the Revolution. ]
    [Note:William Digges, of Warburton, Md. ]