THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 59 



at two equal annual instalments; or, if it should be preferred, one-fourth 

 down and the residue in three equal annual instalments. 



The undersigned commenced his labors in this work in 1842, and devoted 

 the best years of his life in travelling through the region of our country 

 peopled principally by the red man — through the wilds of Oregon and what 

 is now Washington Territory. All of the portraits are accurate likenesses 

 of prominent chiefs and braves, and readily recognized by men who have 

 had intercourse with the various tribes of Indians. 



Since 1852 he has cherished the hope (but has not been able to realize 

 it) that Congress would authorize the purchase of this collection. He has, 

 up to this time, made sacrifices — such as one believing in the merit of his 

 own work, and whose zeal in persevering through arduous and unremitting 

 toil to accomplish it, alone would make — to keep this collection together. 

 He will not affect the modesty of refraining from expressing his belief that 

 no other gallery (aside from what artistic merit the public may award it) 

 possesses the interest, in a national point of view, that this does. Some 

 of the chiefs represented are no longer living; and, to the little we know 

 of their history it will be some satisfaction to add the perpetuation of 

 their features. These were taken from life and in the character they 

 themselves preferred to be handed down to the gaze of future generations. 



The price at which he offers this collection will not more than cover the 

 outlay in cost of material, transportation, insurance, travelling expenses, 

 &c., and will not afford him any compensation for his time and labor. 

 Taking, as he humbly conceives, the intrinsic value of these Indian por- 

 traits into consideration, he will receive no pecuniary profit by their 

 disposal on the terms named. 



His ardent desire that they should be preserved, as a national work, in 

 some place at the capital of our country; his failure heretofore to induce 

 Congress to agree to their purchase, and the more pressing reasons of lia- 

 bilities now maturing, impel him to make this proposition. Your honor- 

 able Board are again requested to consider it and communicate your an- 

 swer at as early a day as is convenient. If the purchase of the portraits 

 is not authorized by you, he wUl be compelled to expose them at public 

 auction in time to have the proceeds available by the ist of May next. 



The undersigned will take this occasion to tender his acknowledgments 

 to the Board and Professor Henry for the use of the hall in the institution 

 where the gallery now is, and for other courtesies, which he will always 

 appreciate. 



I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



J. M. Stanley. 



This communication was referred to a special committee, 

 consisting of Messrs. Felton, Douglas, and Badger, from whose 

 report, dated May 19, 1858, the following extracts are taken: 



"The Secretary laid before the Board a letter from Mr. J. M. 

 Stanley, painter of the gallery of Indian portraits, now on de- 



