star.1 My Mamma, Bro'r and Sister Copley join me in kindest Love and Respects to your self, my Sister Pelham, Cousin Hilly and Charles. I am, Dear Sir: Your most affectionate Bro'r and most humble Sert. HENRY PELHAM. Copley to [Benjamin West]2 BOSTON, Novr. 24, 1770. DEAR SIR, 3 I am afraid you think I have been negligent in suffering two years to pass without exhibiting somthing, or writeing to you to let you know how the Art goes on this side the Atlantick. But be assured it is neighther because I have forgot my Friend, or have been less assiduous in the Labours of the Pencil than here to fore, But I find it extreemly dificult to procure Subjects fit and pleasing to entertain the Publick with. You are sensable in this country the hands of an Artist is tied up, not having it in his power to prosicute any work of fancy for want of meterials. Than my time is so intirely engrosed in painting portraits as to make it very dificult for me to exibit constantly; but the most meterial Reason of all others was the prospect I had of visiting Europe before this time. When I wrote you last I menshoned some obstruction in my way to making such a tour, and you have doubtless heard before this time I have increased the dificulty; yet be assured, notwithstanding I have entered into engagements that have retarded my travilling, they shall not prevent it finally. I will make all give way to • Phyllis Wheatley. 2 See West to Copley, June 16, 1770, referring to Dr. Jarves as bearer of a letter from Copley. • Copley sent no picture to the exhibitions of 1769, 1770, 1773 or 1774. the predominant passion of cultivating our Art. I am now painting a portrait of Mr. Greenwood's Mother for him, which he designs to place in the exhibition Room. But if I should have the good fortune to imitate nature with some degree of merit, yet it cannot please as an Eligent form equelly well imitated would do. I should therefore be glad to contrast that Picture of a subject in the Evening of Life with one in the Bloom of youth, but it will not be in my power, unless you shall think one lately sent to Mr Wilks1 will answer that purpose. I had no thoughts of making such an use of it when I painted it. For this reason I beg you will do what you shall think best, but the party spirit is so high, that what ever compliments the Leaders of either party is lookd on as a tassit disapprobation of those of the other; and tho I ought to be considered in this work as an Artist imploy'd in the way of my profession, yet I am not sure I should be, and as I am desireous of avoideing every imputation of party spir[it], Political contests being neighther pleasing to an artist or advantageous to the Art itself, I would not have it at the Exibition on any account what ever if there is the Least room to supose it would give offence to any persons of eighther party, but at all events I should be happy in possesing your observations on it with cander and freedom. Before I conclude give me Leave to recommend to your notice the Bearer of this Letter, Docr. Jerves, a worthy friend of mine and fond of painting. Any favours shown to him will be acknowledged with the same Gratitude as if they were to, Sir, your Most Sin[clere Friend, JOHN S. COPLEY. 1 See John Wilkes to Nathaniel Barber, September 21, 1770. Copley's only exhibit in 1771 was "A Lady, half length." Society of Artists of Great Britain, Catalogue of Exhibitions, 1771. DEAR BROR, Charles Pelham to Henry Pelham 19 NEWTON, Decr. 4, 1770. The bearer brings 1 busl. Malt for our Mama, and 3 buss. for Bror. Copley, which being good, will afford you a great deal of wholsome Liquor. We hear Mrs. Copley is safe in Bed, happily deliver'd of a fine Girl.1 If so we heartily Rejoice with you all, especialy Mr. Copley and Lady, whom we Congratulate on this happy event. Hope her good geting up, and Pray for the Life and health of the little Lady. Pray acquaint them of our thus sincerely interesting ourselves in this pleasing occurrence. I am not unmindful of the unhappy situation of poor Thomas's Family, and to relieve the Widow as much as is in my power am willing to take Tommy, and do my best for him till he is 15 years of age, Mrs. Pelham being heartily dispos'd to do her part for his well being; but as I have experienc'd the ill effects of taking a Child and not having them Bound, I am by no means willing to engage with Tommy unless his Mother is free and willing to Bind him till he is 15 Years old. I should be glad you would let her know this, and if she sees fit and promises to bind him, the Boy may come up with the bearer, and when I come to Town shall bring Indentures to execute, and shall engage to find him good Bed and Board, Cloathing and Instruction, in all which the honour of the Family will induce me to go beyond what is common in such Cases: I can say no more upon this Head.2 1 Elizabeth Clarke Copley, 1770-1866, who married Gardiner Greene. • "She desired me to present her kindest Love and respects to you and my Sister Pelham, and to let you know the scence she has of the kindness you will do her by taking Tommy: She expresses the greatest pleasure and satisfaction at UorM Its now very fine wholsome weather and a little Tour into the Country would promote any one's health, especially the Sedentary Persons; I therefore strenuously recommend your keeping the approaching Thanksgiving with us, but take me right; I do not invite you to a sumptuous feast, but to good wholsome Country Fare with undissembled friendship. If this suits you, my Doors were they animated with my Spirit would at your approach open of their own accord: Your Sister Pelham joins in saying we shall be glad to see you. I hope our hond. Mama is well. Pray give our Duty and Love to her, and with Tender Respects to you, Mr. and Mrs. Copley, I remain Yr. affecte Bror. CHAS. PELHAM. I should be glad of a Line by the bearer, as such kind of Folks rarely deliver a verbal message correct. DEAR SIR, Copley to [Charles Willson Peale] BOSTON, Decr. 17, 1770. I received your favour of the 24 Novr: Your kind present which came to hand in good order. It gave me a twofold pleasure first because it is the portrait of that great man, in the most exalted carractor human Nature can be dignified with that of a true Patriot vindicatting the rights of mankind, and having him under your Care and Government. She is perfectly willing to bind him, and has sent him with your Man." Henry Pelham to Charles Pelham, December 4, 1770. The mother of this Thomas was Hannah Cooper Gerrish Pelham, widow of Thomas Pelham. They were married in 1757 and had Elizabeth, born August 2, 1758; Penelope, born March 6, 1760; Thomas, born January 4, 1762; and Mary, born November 17, 1766 — all living in 1780. Thomas, Jr., was a baker, married Lydia Robinson, and died 1802. N. E. Hist. Gen. Reg. XXVI. 399. secondly for the merit of the work itself and the fair prospect it affoards of America rivaling the continant of Europe in those refined Arts that have been justly esteemed the Greatest Glory of ancient Greece and Rome.1 Go on Dear Sir to hasten forward that happy Era. how little so ever my natural abillitys or oppertunitys of improvement may be adiquate to the promoteing so great a work yet I should sincerely partisipate in the pleasure with those great Souls who are happily possessed of boath in a Soverain Degre. The Aligory strikes me as unexceptionable in every part, and fully expressive of Ideas designed to convey. The Attitude which is simple is possed of great dignity with a becoming Energy, and from what the print expressd I am led to wish to see the Original, wher[e] the force of Colouring give Strength and perfection to the Clear Obscure. Permit me to conclud with my sincere thanks for the kind notice you have taken of me and subscribing myself your sincere friend and Humble Sert. A Description of the Picture and Mezzotinto of Mr. Pitt, done by Charles Willson Peale, of Maryland. J. S. C. The Principal Figure is that of Mr. Pitt, in a Consular Habit, speaking in Defence of the Claims of the American Colonies, on the Principles of the British Constitution. 1 See next paper. Uor M |