THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
35 
incidentals. The artist of to-day will be interested to know 
that the frames, of tasteful design, cost $11 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 T opographical 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 with renewed satisfaction. 
And I remain, my dear Sir, with perfect esteem, your friend and ob’t. sv’t. 
Geo. P. A. Heady. 
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 1 6th 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. Heady. 
J. J. Abert, 
Col. Corps of E. 
