76 PEOCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS. 



He proposes to sell the whole collection described in the catalogue 

 published by the Institution, one hundred and fifty-two in number ? 

 for the sum of twelve thousand dollars — one-third of the same cash 

 and the remainder 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 por- 

 traits 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 collec- 

 tion. He has J 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 repre- 

 sented 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 pre- 

 ferred 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 portraits 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 liabilities now maturing, impel him to make this proposi- 

 tion. Your honorable Board are again requested to consider it and 

 communicate your answer at as early a day as is convenient. If the 

 purchase of the portraits is not authorized by you, he will be com- 



