Months in this place: I am satisfied you would find an unparalleled Degree of Encouragement, notwithstanding the common Complaint of the Scarcity of Money. Any assistance that I could lend you, you might depend on receiving. Capt Smith will give you the Balance of your Account; and you will oblige me by sending a Rect. for the whole by the Return of the same Conveyance. I am, Sr. Yr. most obedt. and very hble Servt. MYLES COOPER.

SIR,

Copley to [Myles Cooper]

BOSTON, Sepr. 24, 1769.

I take this oppertunity to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favour by Capt. Smith. It gives me peculiar pleasure to find the pictures came safe to hand and were approved off. I am much obliged to you for the assistance you are so kind to offer me should I visit New-york. Although I cannot at present make that excursion for the exercise of my pencill, I may in some future time, when I shall be doubly happy in the friendship of one from whom an obligation will be no ways painfull. I am Sir with all Respect your Most Obet. Humle Sert. JOHN SINGLETON Copley.

SIR,

G. W. Schilling[?] to Copley1

To fulfill my promisse per these few lines I do acquaint you that yr Pictur[e] is very wel received by all the world.

I am very glad and thank you kindly for your paines that you have taken in painting, and for all favours which you

1 This letter is written in a somewhat trembling hand. It bears the stamp of the New York post office, April 3. The postage was four shillings.

have shewd to me. my Compliments to yr beloved lady Mother and whole famyly. I am with the utmost regard, Sir,

Your most humble servant

UTREGT the 18 8br. 1769

G: W: SCHILLING [?].

Pray excuse my scrable.

SIR,

Captain John Small1 to Copley

HEAD QUARTERS, NEW YORK, 8ber. 29th. 1769.

The Miniature you took from my Crayon Picture has been very much admir'd and approv'd of here, by the best Judges. Your picture of the General 2 is universally acknowledg'd to be a very masterly performance, elegantly finish'd, and a most striking Likeness; in short it has every property that Genius, Judgement and attention can bestow on it. The Gentleman who delivers you this Letter is Mr. Taylor of considerable Fortune in the West Indies, and of an accomplish'd Taste and education, improv'd by Travelling and observation; these circumstances induce me to make so great a Connoisseur accquainted with you, that he may have an opportunity-of Observing that Genius is not confin'd to Europe, or the Eastern Countrys.

I Want much to have a Copy of my Crayon picture, Mr. Dumaresq3 will Let you have the use of it for that purpose. Mr. Taylor soon returns hither, and will do me the favor to

1 (1726-1796). Long in America, as Captain of the 21st Regiment in 1765, Major Commandant in the 84th in 1775, and finally Lieutenant Colonel Commandant in the same regiment in 1780. He is prominently represented in Trumbull's picture of Bunker Hill.

2 Gage?

• Probably Philip Dumaresque, a merchant of Boston.

4

take Charge of it; should it be any way inconvenient to him; (for I would by no means be troublesome) it can be sent by any other safe Opportunity, and you may draw on me for the price, or inform me to Whom I shall pay that Sum here or at Boston; Your Order shall be instantly accepted. If Consistent with your own oppinion and agreable to your Rules, I should be glad. The Face should be a Little higher in the frame, so that more of the body and drapery should appear; I think I mentioned this when I sat to you or about the time the first picture was finish'd; But I Leave it intirely to your own decision and shall be satisfy'd to receive it as you think propper to send it; should You approve of any Alteration of the above sort and that a hand may appear I would wish to have plac'd in that hand a paper, or part of a paper folded up and endors'd on the upper end with the Annex'd Superscription or Endorsement and as this may occasion a good deal more Labor and must be troublesome in some degree to you in the performance, I would by no means, propose this addition without also an Increase of the price. If you think proper to demand or charge it, be assur❜d it will be chearfully paid. I beg an answer to this Letter As soon as convenient to you and am, Sir, Your Obedt Servt.

JOHN SMALL.

Direct To John Small Esqr Major of brigade at Head Quarters N York.

To appear on the before mention'd paper. General Return of the troops composing the Army in North America Boston 8ber 1769.

N. B. The words may be contracted if you choose it, the paper by no means to be broader than this annex'd pattern.