THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
39 
Constantinople, October 18, 1843. 
Mr. Francis Markoe, Jr. 
Secretary of the National Institute. 
Sir: I have the honor to forward you for the National Institute, a por- 
trait of the now reigning Sovereign of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Abdul- 
Mejid Khan, which I beg you to accept of for that Institution, as it is prob- 
ably the only one of his portraits ever sent to the United States. It is 
considered an excellent likeness. 
I have the honor to be with much respect, your obt. servt. 
George A. Porter. 
This picture was entered in the records under date of January 
8, 1844, at which time it was probably received by the Institute. 
PORTRAIT OF DON VINCENTE, President of Mexico. By 
Unknown Artist. 
PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM WHEELWRIGHT. 
Presented by Commodore J. H. Aulick, U. S. Navy, August 
19, 1845. This was a lithographic copy of a painting executed 
at the expense of the commercial community of Valparaiso, 
Chili, and hung in the Exchange of that city. According to 
Commodore Aulick, Mr. Wheelwright was the first to introduce 
steam navigation in the Pacific Ocean. 
Miscellaneous Paintings, etc. 
JOB AND HIS COMFORTERS. By Jos6 de Ribera ( Spagnoletto ). 
Presented by Or. Robert W. Gibbes, of Columbia, S. C., 
through Mr. Poinsett, as indicated in the following letter : 
Charleston, S. C., Dec. 5, 1841. 
My dear Sir: In passing through Columbia on my way from the moun- 
tains, I received from Dr. Gibbes of that place a valuable painting which 
he desires to present to the National Institution. It is doubtless an origi- 
nal, probably by Spagnoletto. The subject Job in his affliction surrounded 
by his Comforters. Either Mr. King or Mr. Chapman could restore it to its 
pristine beauty. I think either would take pleasure in bringing out all 
the excellencies of this fine picture. It will be forwarded to Capt. Dusen- 
berry at Baltimore and is directed to you in Washington. I hope the Capt. 
will send it by some careful person, as it is merely rolled up and sewed 
around in cloth. 
With great regard, I am Dear Sir, ever yours truly, 
J. R. Poinsett 
Col. J. J. Abert, U. S. A., 
Chief Top. Bureau, Washington, D. C. 
