To Thomas Jefferson from Simon Chaudron and John James Barralet, 6 March 1802
From Simon Chaudron and John James Barralet
Philaie. 6 mars 1802
Monsieur
Nous vous prions d’accueillir favorablement Lhommage de L’Apothéose de Washington, que nous prenons la liberté de vous offrir.
Si c’est le patrimoine des arts que le privilège de célébrer les grands hommes, cest aussi le privilège des grands hommes, que de reçevoir les offrandes des arts
nous Sommes avec un profond Respect Monsieur Vos trés humbles & trés obeissants serviteurs
Chaudron & Baralet
Editors’ Translation
Phila. 6 Mch. 1802
Sir
We beg you to receive favorably the tribute of the “Apotheosis of Washington,” which we take the liberty of presenting to you.
If the heritage of the arts is the privilege of celebrating great men, it is also the privilege of great men to receive the offerings of the arts.
We are with deep respect your very humble and very obedient servants
Chaudron & Baralet
RC (MHi); in Chaudron’s hand and signed by him; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Mch. from Philadelphia and so recorded in SJL.
L’APOTHÉOSE DE WASHINGTON: in 1800, Chaudron and Barralet opened subscriptions to publish an engraving of Barralet’s “Apotheosis of Washington.” Soon after TJ’s inauguration, Barralet asked permission to place the new president’s name “at the head of the Subscription list” at no charge. There is no record of a response by TJ, who had purchased a drawing of Volney by Barralet. In February 1802, Chaudron began to take out newspaper advertisements to inform subscribers that they could pick up the “Apotheosis,” which was 24 inches tall and 19 inches wide, at his watch and jewelry shop in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Gazette & Daily Advertiser, 8 Feb. 1802; Aurora, 8 Feb.; Vol. 32:320n, 420; Vol. 33:316).