1To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 29 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have commenced the publication of engraved portraits of the eminent men of our country, by Mr: Edwin and Leney, in their best style. Have the goodness to inform me, whether there is an approved likeness of you, by whom painted, and in whose possession it is. And be pleased also to grant me permission to have it engraved. The portait of Dr. Rush, from a painting by Mr. Sully, is in the hands...
2To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 6 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you nearly 2 years ago & was favoured with your reply on the subject of your portrait.—You mentioned that you would feel gratified in receiving a portrait of Mr. Jay & Dr Rush. I now take the liberty of enclosing one of each, which I beg you to accept as a token of my great respect. My work of the biography & Portraits of distinguished Americans is progressing &...
3To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 24 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have received you very obliging favour, & thank you for you kindness in promising to sit to Mr. Morse, for your portrait for me. I enclose a letter for him in which I have requested him to wait on you at Your house, and I will pay every expence attending his journey. Do me the favour of sending it to him enclosed in one from yourself, in which be pleased to invite him.— I am extremely...
4To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 9 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your very obliging favour of the 1st. instant, giving me a sketch of your life, which is highly satisfactory, & for which be pleased to accept my sincere thanks. I shall have the pleasure of speaking to young Dr. Rush, with whom I am acquainted respecting the sketch which you have mentioned. I am glad you have settled the plan with Mr: Morse, to whom be pleased to...
5To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 10 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I received your last obliging letter, & thank you most sincerely for the information it contains. I beg leave at the same time to tender my acknowledgments for the kind & prompt manner with which you have answered my several letters.— The Revd. Dr. Morse informs me that his son’s portrait of you for me, is acknowledged to be the best likeness ever taken of you. I am very happy to hear it. I...
6To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 27 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
You had done me the honour of answering my letters to you, so fully, that I had supposed I should never again, perhaps, trespass on your time and attention. I am induced, however, once more, to trouble you. I this day received an anonymous letter, under no date, and bearing the Boston Post office mark. It is very well written, and appears disinterested. It is respectful, liberal, and evinces a...
7To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 3 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received, within a few days, your portrait, painted by Mr. Morse for me.— I have already informed you that I received an anonymous letter from a lady without date or place of residence, but bearing the Boston postmark, requesting me in urgent terms not to use the portrait for an engraving. Before the portrait arrived, I heard, through various channels, from persons of Boston, that the...
8To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 11 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am prepared, whenever I may have the consent of yourself & family, to commence writing your life for my National Biographical work “the Repository of the Lives & Portraits of Distinguished Americans”, the first volume of which, containing Twelve lives & portraits, is already published.— Pray inform me, from what sources I may derive the materials from which I shall be enabled to complete...
9To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 9 February 1822 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of soliciting the favour of you to furnish me within a few weeks, should you have leisure, a very brief account of such subjects in relation to your quarter, as you may feel interested to see in the picture of the United States, and for which I shall give you credit in the publication, unless you direct otherwise. I have the honour of informing you that I have received in my...
10To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 5 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
A few weeks ago I had the honour of informing you that I have a fine portrait by King, of your distinguished son, the Honourable John Quincy Adams, in my National Gallery of portraits.—I took the liberty at the same time, to request the favour of you to forward to Charles Shaw Esqr. of Boston, a package which I then enclosed to your special care.— A letter which I had the honour of receiving...
11To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 26 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your obliging favour.— I find that the second portrait that you would be glad to see, is that of Dr. Rush which I now beg leave to enclose for your kind acceptance.— The letters which I addressed to Mr. Charles Shaw the Author of the accot. of Boston were properly directed. They contained a request that he would furnish me with some facts in relation to Boston to be...
12To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 15 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 May 1812, Philadelphia. Solicits JM’s “patronage to the Emporium of Arts & Sciences … not for the pecuniary value of the subscription, but for the honor of [his] name.” “Mr. Jefferson has favoured me with his name,” as have several members of Congress. Requests JM, if he approves, to write his name on the same paper. If JM declines, requests the return of the prospectus. Also asks that...
13To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 23 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have commenced the publication of a series of Engraved portraits of the emminent men of our country, by Mr. Edwin & Leney, in the best style. Have the goodness to inform me whether there is an approved likeness of yourself, who painted by, & in whose possession it is. Mr. Edwin & myself have talked on the subject. He has shown me a small painting of you which I fear is not an approved...
14To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 18 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
It gives me much pleasure to inform you that Mr. Edwin, in a conversation with him this day on the subject of your portrait, feels every disposition to have it brought out in a proper & unexceptionable manner. Accordingly I have placed the picture and also the plate engraved by Mr. Jones, in his hands for the purpose of alteration. Mr. Edwin says he can readily make such improvements as will...
15To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 31 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
Although I caused a Copy of your portrait to be taken for the purpose of having an engraving taken from it, yet, as it has not been executed, and as Mr. Wood our distinguished portrait painter goes to Washington to paint your portrait for me, I think it will serve my work better to have one of you at this age & from the life too, than a mere copy & from a picture painted many years ago. Have...
16To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 26 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty of writing to you by Mr. Wood our distinguished portrait painter to whom I begged you would have the goodness to sit for your portrait which I am very desirous to obtain. I also beg the favour of you to furnish me with a few facts of your life— Birth, parentage, Education, profession Offices &c &c. Not knowing where my letters may find Mr. Wood, I take the liberty of...
17To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 23 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I several weeks ago sent Mr. Wood a portrait painter of our City, to Washington, & after writing to you on the subject, requested Mr. Wood to wait on you to paint your portrait. I have not been able, altho I repeatedly wrote to Mr. Wood, to learn whether he painted your portrait or not, & I beg you will do me the honour of informing me by a single line whether you sat or not. I am about to...
18To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, [ante–22 October 1816] (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the sketch of your life. I feel obliged by your kind attention to me. Justice shall be done to it. I hope, dear sir, you have received, before this, the first half volume of the Repository. If it will not be inconvenient, I should feel proud to receive from you two single lines of your approbation of the work. Something like approving of the...
19To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 27 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour of acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favour of the 22d instt. As you have enjoined it on me not to make use of the observations contained in your letter relative to my work, because you have not yet perused it, so I shall most strictly comply. As soon, however, as you are prepared to honour me with your opinion of its merits & general execution, which you may permit...
20To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 22 June 1818 (Madison Papers)
I am honoured, this day, with your obliging favour of the 17th: instant. Have the goodness, dear sir, to send to me the Mss &c &c, to which your letter alludes, as soon as possible. With perfect respect & esteem your obedt. & very huml. st. My very best respects & regard to Mrs. Madison & Mr. Todd. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM.
21To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 11 October 1820 (Madison Papers)
At the request of the author, I have the honour of transmitting to you, for your kind acceptance, a volume of poetry, for your good opinion of which, I know he would feel much gratified. An elementary book for the use of schools, new in its design & arrangement, will be issued from the press by the same author, in a fee [ sic ] months; at which time I shall have the pleasure of sending to you...
22To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 23 January 1822 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of sending to you at the request of my friend Mr. Charles Mead, a book for the use of schools which he has been at considerable pains in preparing, & for which he has received unqualified approbation. He would feel highly honoured by receiving a testimonial in its favour & if it may be agreeable it would give me pleasure to receive it from you. With very high respect &...
23Edward Parker and Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 27 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
We take the liberty of soliciting your name as a subscriber to the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia. This very extraordinary work has already obtained a large share of public patronage in this quarter Edward Parker & Joseph Delaplaine Since the prospectus was printed, Professors Barton of Philad a
24Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 24 April 1812] (Jefferson Papers)
I will take it as a particular favour if you will give me your name to the Emporium of Arts & Sciences . The value of the subscription is nothing, it is the honor of having your name I am anxious for. RC ( DLC : TJ Papers , 191:33940); undated; subjoined to enclosure; addressed: “Honorable Thomas Jefferson Monticello Virginia”; postmarked Philadelphia , 24 Apr.; endorsed by TJ as received from...
25Joseph Delaplaine and Murray, Draper, Fairman & Company to Thomas Jefferson, 25 February 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
We should derive peculiar gratification from receiving your name as a subscriber to our edition of Macklin’s Bible . Permit us to express our hopes that you will honor us with your name on this occasion. Joseph Delaplaine , & Murray, Draper, Fairman & C o RC ( DLC ); in Delaplaine’s hand and signed by him; addressed (clipped): “ Virginia ”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Mar. 1813 and so...
26Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have commenced the publication of a series of engraved portraits of the eminent men of our country by M r Edwin & Leney in their best style. Have the goodness to inform me whether there is an approved likeness of yourself, who painted by, & in whose possession it is. I think I have understood M r Rembrandt Peale has some time ago obtained your permission to sit for a portrait. Hoping to hear...
27Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I once more take the freedom of encroaching on your kindness with a request that you would allow me the privilege of having engravings made from two original pictures which I am informed by Doctor Barton are in your possession: One of them the portrait of Columbus , the other that of Americus Vespusius . Intending to render the work I have already had the honor to announce to you, a complete...
28Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 19 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty a few days ago of writing to you on the subject of two pictures which Doctor Barton informed me are in your possession, and at the same time requested the favour of you to forward them to me for the purpose of having engravings taken from them for my national biographical work; I mean the portraits of Columbus & Americus Vespusius . In my letter I enclosed one of the...
29Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 30 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I took the liberty of writing to you respecting the portraits of Columbus & Americus Vespusius , I am enabled to send you a perfect proposal of my Biographical work , in the first volume of which your portrait & a Biographical skectch of your life will be given. I shall be happy if you will authorize me to put your name with others on my list as a subscriber. With the highest respect &...
30Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favoured with your very obliging and satisfactory letter respecting the portraits of Columbus & Americus Vespusius ; and shall avail myself of your kind offer whenever an opportunity offers. I have taken the liberty to mention your name in the prospectus enclosed, & hope it will meet your approbation.— M r Madison , & the different heads of departments have given me their names as...