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 
