THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 35 



incidentals. The artist of to-day will be interested to know 

 that the frames, of tasteful design, cost |ii each, and are still 

 in good condition after the lapse of 67 years. 



Washington, 31 May, 1842. 

 To Col. J. J. AberT, 



Chief of the Corps of Topographical Engineers and 



one of the Directors of the National Institution. 



Dear Sir: I have this moment received your communication of yester- 

 day's date, informing me that many members of the National Institution 

 had joined in a wish that I should execute for them, portraits of the Presi- 

 dent of the United States, and the Hon. W. C. Preston, of the Senate, for 

 the purpose of being placed in the Gallery of the Institution. 



It is not in my power to express to you and to those with whom you are 

 associated in an application so unexpected and so gratifying, how deeply 

 sensible I am of the honor which has been conferred upon me by my coun- 

 trymen on the occasion; and in accepting the high trust, which I do with 

 pride and alacrity, not unmixed with real diffidence, I have only to add that 

 no efforts on my part shall be spared to endeavor to produce works, as 

 worthy as I can make them, of these eminent individuals, and of the noble 

 cause to which they and yourselves are united in devotion. 



I return you, my dear Sir, my personal thanks for the manner in which you 

 have imparted to me intelligence of one of the most agreeable incidents of 

 my life, an incident which I shall ever remember wdth renewed satisfaction. 



And I remain, my dear Sir, with perfect esteem, your friend and ob't. sv't. 



Geo. p. A. Healy. 



Boston, Sept. igth, 1842. 



My very dear Sir: I feel myself deeply at fault in this apparent neglect 

 of mine, in not having acknowledged your kind favor of the seventh of 

 August, containing the remittance of three hundred dollars, which you 

 speak of in your last of the i6th inst. I am unable to express the gratitude 

 so strong in me, to yourself and fellow-subscribers, members of our National 

 Institute, for this splendid commission with which you have honored me; 

 it is that upon which I shall reflect with infinite pleasure to the last day of 

 my life. The portrait of our esteemed President, I will return to you, 

 directed to your care, with many, many thanks for the generous permission 

 given me to copy it, on Saturday or Monday next. To our mutual friend 

 Mr. Markoe and your charming families, I beg to be most kindly remembered, 

 with the hope of seeing you all, on my return the ensuing year, in health & 

 happiness, I remain. 



My very dear Sir, most sincerely & truly yrs., 



Geo. p. a. Healy. 

 J. J. Abert, 



Col. Corps of E. 



