THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
59 
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 portraits 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 collection. He has, 
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 represented 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 preferred 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 por- 
traits 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 lia- 
bilities now maturing, impel him to make this proposition. Your honor- 
able Board are again requested to consider it and communicate your an- 
swer at as early a day as is convenient. If the purchase of the portraits 
is not authorized by you, he will be compelled to expose them at public 
auction in time to have the proceeds available by the 1st of May next. 
The undersigned will take this occasion to tender his acknowledgments 
to the Board and Professor Henry for the use of the hall in the institution 
where the gallery now is, and for other courtesies, which he will always 
appreciate. 
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
J. M. Stanley. 
This communication was referred to a special committee, 
consisting of Messrs. Felton, Douglas, and Badger, from whose 
report, dated May 19, 1858, the following extracts are taken: 
“The Secretary laid before the Board a letter from Mr. J. M. 
Stanley, painter of the gallery of Indian portraits, now on de- 
