THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 39 



Constantinople, October i8, 1843. 

 Mr. Francis Markoe, Jr. 



Secretary of the National Institute. 

 Sir: I have the honor to forward you for the National Institute, a por- 

 trait of the now reigning Sovereign of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Abdul- 

 Mejid Khan, which I beg you to accept of for that Institution, as it is prob- 

 ably the only one of his portraits ever sent to the United States. It is 

 considered an excellent likeness. 



I have the honor to be with much respect, your obt. servt. 



George A. Porter. 



This picture was entered in the records under date of January 

 8, 1844, at which time it was probably received by the Institute. 



PORTRAIT OF DON VINCENTE, President of Mexico. By 



Unknown Artist. 



PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM WHEELWRIGHT. 



Presented by Commodore J. H. Auhck, U. S. Navy, August 

 19, 1845. This was a Hthographic copy of a painting executed 

 at the expense of the commercial community of Valparaiso, 

 Chili, and hung in the Exchange of that city. According to 

 Commodore Aulick, Mr. Wheelwright was the first to introduce 

 steam navigation in the Pacific Ocean. 



Miscellaneous Paintings, etc. 



JOB AND HIS COMFORTERS. By Josi Ribera (Spagnoletto). 



Presented by Dr. Robert W. Gibbes, of Columbia, S. C, 

 through Mr. Poinsett, as indicated in the following letter: 



Charleston, S. C, Dec. 5, 1841. 



My dear Sir: In passing through Columbia on my way from the moun- 

 tains, I received from Dr. Gibbes of that place a valuable painting which 

 he desires to present to the National Institution. It is doubtless an origi- 

 nal, probably by Spagnoletto. The subject Job in his affliction surrounded 

 by his Comforters. Either Mr. King or Mr. Chapman could restore it to its 

 pristine beauty. I think either would take pleasure in bringing out all 

 the excellencies of this fine picture. It will be forwarded to Capt. Dusen- 

 berry at Baltimore and is directed to you in Washington. I hope the Capt. 

 will send it by some careful person, as it is merely rolled up and sewed 

 around in cloth. 



With great regard, I am Dear Sir, ever yours truly, 



J. R, Poinsett 



Col. J. J. Abert, U. S. a., 



Chief Top. Bureau, Washington, D. C. 



