36 THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 



These two portraits now hang in the gallery, in the National 

 Museum. Both show half length figures and are of the same 

 size, measuring 36X inches high and 29X inches wide. 



PORTRAIT OF CAPTAIN JOHN EVANS. By John Singleton Copley. 

 A full length portrait of this distinguished merchant of New 

 England during the latter part of the colonial period, was pre- 

 sented to the Institute by his son, in a letter dated Washington, 

 August 15, 1842, as follows: 



F. MarkoE, Junr., Esquire, 



Corresponding Secretary of the National Institute. 



Sir: Having, from time to time, noticed in the public papers, that a prac- 

 tice is prevailing on the part of individuals, of making presents, of more or 

 less value and interest, to the National Institute, it had happened to occur 

 to me whether a Portrait in my possession might not from its historical 

 relation, be acceptable. 



I offer it, Sir, without the slightest pretension to the honour of connecting 

 my name, individually, with that of the institution, or of publicly associa- 

 ting this name with that of Him whom the portrait exhibits. 



The portrait. Sir, is one of my Father, John Evans, Esquire, who was a 

 distinguished Merchant of New England, in about the year 1760, and 

 Linguist for the, then, Colonies in relation to the French fleets in that 

 quarter during the Revolution. And, Sir, I owe it to that which is far 

 more dear to the community and to your institution than even History 

 and the Arts, to say, that this individual was remarkable for integrity and 

 every other noble quality of the heart and mind. 



The Portrait is about six feet by eight; — was executed by Copely; — and 

 cost one hundred guineas. 



My motive in presenting it. Sir, is not pride, nor vanity, nor generosity; — 

 it is merely to preserve it. The vicicitudes of my life, by causing numer- 

 ous removals of the canvass, have materially injured it; and I fear it 

 would not long stand before the influences of future time and fortune. 



I remain. Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



EsTwiCK Evans. 



Washington, 25 Augt. 1842. 

 To EsTwiCK Evans Esq. 



Washington. 

 Dear Sir: Mr. Gales placed in my hands to-day your letter of the 15th 

 inst. & I hasten to acknowledge its receipt, & to accept in behalf of the 

 Nat. Institute the portrait of your father, wh. as a work of art alone, & 

 the production of so eminent an artist as Copely, will be a most valuable 

 acquisition to the Cabinet of the Institute. If you will have the goodness 

 to have the portrait sent to the Hall of the Institute with a line to the 



