u Founded 1791 COLLECTIONS VOL. 71 Committee of Publication CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS GUERNSEY JONES WORTHINGTON CHAUNCEY FORD ^^^vmca A/ C7?A( LETTERS @> PAPERS OF John Singleton Copley AND Henry Pelham I739~I77<5 The Massachusetts Historical Society 1914 COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published November 1Q14 — Contents Illustrations xix Prefatory Note xxi 1739 September 12. Peter Pelham, Sr. to Peter Pelham, Jr 3 Learns of his marriage. Feels slighted and forsaken by his children. Is not unforgiving. Has seen Captain Woodside. Family news and messages. 1741 July 4. Peter Pelham, Sr. to Peter Pelham, Jr 6 Has written more than once. Peter in Carolina. Lady Deloraine. Sister Mes- senger unable to assist. A box not shipped as intended by Helena. His own health and necessities. September 1. Helena Pelham to Peter Pelham, Jr 9 Has been much unsettled. Family intelligence. The overlooked gifts. Good accounts of young Peter. 1742 February 19. Peter Pelham, Sr. to William Pelham II Thanks for his letter. February 19. Helena Pelham to Peter Pelham, Jr 12 Gifts sent by Rello. Her position. February 19. Helena Pelham to Penelope Pelham 14 Letter with gifts. October 12. Peter Pelham, Sr., to Peter Pelham, Jr 14 Death of sister Baker. Peter's good behavior in Carolina. 1743 July 20. Peter Pelham, Sr. to Peter Pelham, Jr 16 Letters probably intercepted. Family news and wishes. 1748 October 3. Helena Pelham to Peter Pelham, Jr 16 Wishes to hear often. Messages. vi Contents 1749 November 30. Peter Pelham, Sr. to Peter Pelham, Jr 18 Difficulty of writing. His residence and good wishes. I7SO September 10. Charles Pelham to Peter Pelham, Jr 19 Is at Newport. Some matters of business. 1755 June 30. Will of Peter Pelham, Sr 20 1757 October 8. Thomas Ainslie to Copley 23 Picture gives satisfaction. Can find occupation at Halifax. I762 February 15. Helena Pelham to Charles Pelham 23 Has not heard from him for a long time. Her picture considered. Writing not the agreeablest thing for her. Burial of General Whitmore. September 30. Copley to Jean Etienne Liotard 26 Wishes to obtain some Swiss crayons. Art in New England. I763 January 7. Samuel Fayerweather to Copley 27 Judge Leigh's picture. April 24. Peter Traille to Copley 28 Directions for sending picture. I764 January 24. Copley to Charles Pelham 29 Smallpox in the town. November 12. Thomas Ainslie to Copley 30 A child's recognition of portrait. Offers hospitality. 1765 January 25. Copley to a Mezzotinter 31 On making a print of Dr. Sewall. Proposals. February 25. Copley to Thomas Ainslie 32 Will not be able to visit Quebec. Love for his art. Human and Nature's beauty. ™ Contents vii March 7. Peter Traille to Copley 34 Loss of crayon drawings. March 25. Bill for a Portrait 35 September 10. Copley to R. G. Bruce 35 Sends "Boy with the Squirrel" for exhibition. Disturbances caused by the stamps. October 18. J. Powell to Copley 37 Case of artists' materials. I766 April 28. Peter Pelham to Copley 37 Parting. Messages to family. Situation in Barbados. Prospects for a painter. August 4. R. G. Bruce to Copley 41 Opinions of West and Reynolds on picture. Suggests a visit to Europe. Friend- liness of West. August 4. Benjamin West to Copley 43 Criticism and praise for picture. Advises another exhibition piece. Oil painting superior. September 3. Francis M. Newton to Copley 45 His election to the Society of Artists of Great Britain. September 5. James Scott to Copley 46 Portrait delivered. Time of return. September 12. Copley to Peter Pelham 47 On invitation to Barbados. Intends to visit Europe. Opinions favorable to his picture. October 13. Copley to Benjamin West 49 Appreciates his praise. Wishes a correspondence. November 12. Copley to Benjamin West 50 Conscious of shortcomings. Will try to complete something for next exhibition. Difficulties to be met. As to visiting Europe. Painting in Italy. A mezzotinto of Sewall. I767 June 11. R. G. Bruce to Copley 52 Arrival of the portrait. Opinions of West and Reynolds. Suggestions on method. Messages. June 20. Benjamin West to Copley 56 Demands on his time. Various opinions on his picture. Mezzotinto scrapers. June 25. R. G. Bruce to Copley 58 His portrait and the impression made. A more pleasing subj'ect wanted. A visit to Europe. viii Contents September 3. George Livius to Copley 60 Copies of two portraits by Kelberg. September 14. George Livius to Copley 61 Prices for making copies. Sends the portraits. Directions and a suggested alteration. November 23. Copley to Francis M. Newton 63 Acknowledging notice of election to Society of Artists of Great Britain. I767 February —. Copley to R. G. Bruce 64 On the proposed visit to Europe. Wishes his counsel. February —. Copley to R. G. Bruce 65 Difficulties in finding proper subjects of picture. Art in America at a low mark. 1768 January 17. Copley to Benjamin West 66 Sends pieces for exhibition. Want of advantages. No copy to be permitted. His visit to Europe. Differences in pictures. January 17. Copley to R. G. Bruce 69 Has sent pictures for the exhibition. Rogers' portrait. August 5. Myles Cooper to Copley 70 Sends money and properties for portrait. Offers to buy the Nun with the Candle. Copley to Myles Cooper 71 Properties received. Will sell Nun. September 20. Benjamin West to Copley 72 Favors his visit to England. Should make it before determining where to settle. October 24. Myles Cooper to Copley 73 Directions for sending pictures. As to the finish of the portrait. I769 January 9. Myles Cooper to Copley 74 Wishes pictures and gown sent to him. January 31. Edward Holyoke to Copley 75 Copy of the portrait of Hollis and disposing of the original. August 21. Myles Cooper to Copley 75 He would do well to paint in New York. September 24. Copley to Myles Cooper 76 Cannot come to New York at this time. Contents ix October 18. G. W. Schilling to Copley 76 Is pleased with the portrait. October 29. John Small to Copley 77 Portraits give satisfaction. Introduces Mr. Taylor. Directions for changes in copy. Eliot to Copley 79 Harvard College will not part with the Hollis original. I770 January 17. Henry Pelham to Charles Pelham 79 Advises that a letter be advertised. Reported death of John Dickinson. January 27. Charles Pelham to Henry Pelham 80 The letter and its contents. March 23. John Greenwood to Copley 81 Praises his exhibit. Wishes a portrait of his mother. His own activity in col- lecting pictures. West's fine compositions. March 29. Henry Pelham to Paul Revere 83 Charge of stealing his plate of the Boston massacre. March —. Receipt for Money 84 March —. Bill for Printing 84 April 17. John Hurd to Copley 84 Pictures sent for repair. Frames. An invitation. , May 1. Henry Pelham to Charles Pelham 85 Failure to meet Barnard. May 1. Henry Pelham to Charles Pelham 86 Barnard's account. Newspaper with interesting matter. Tea disturbances. Remonstrance made in London. May 4. John Hurd to Copley 87 Is pleased with the portraits. Sends exchange on London. May 4. William Johnston to Copley 88 A coat of arms. On boiling of oil. Asks for a miniature of his sister. Congratu- lations on marriage. May 15. John Small to Copley 93 Picture received. His marriage. His visit to New York. Gage's portrait. September 21. John Wilkes to Nathaniel Barber 95 Has received portrait of Wilkes Barber. American liberty. November 12. Henry Pelham to Charles Pelham 96 Sends the printed laws. Deaths and sickness. A poem by Phyllis Wheatley. x Contents November 24. Copley to Benjamin West 97 Reasons for not sending something for exhibition. Possible subjects in Mrs. Greenwood and Wilkes Barber. Art and politics. December 4. Charles Pelham to Henry Pelham 99 Copley's daughter, Elizabeth. Family of Thomas Pelham. An invitation for Thanksgiving. December 17. Copley to Charles Willson Peale 100 Praises his mezzotinto of Pitt. Circular on Peale's Pitt, and a Comment 101 1771 January 25. Copley to John Greenwood 105 Portrait of his mother. Would enjoy an opportunity to see the works of the masters. January 29. Petition on Powder House, Boston 106 March 28. Charles Pelham to Henry Pelham 107 Complaint against Betty Pelham. March 29. Henry Pelham to Charles Pelham no On the conduct of Betty Pelham. April — . Stephen Kemble to Copley 112 His visit to New York and prices. Copley to Stephen Kemble 112 Prices for portraits and sizes. April 17. Stephen Kemble to Copley 113 Has obtained orders for portraits. List enclosed. June 6. Henry Pelham to Henry and Thomas Bromfield . .115 An order for artist's materials. June 16. Benjamin West to Copley 116 Is happy to learn of his intention to visit Europe. Portrait of Mrs. Greenwood. June 16. Copley to Henry Pelham 116 His situation in New York. Some features of the place. His mare. June 18. Benjamin West to Shrimpton Hutchinson 118 On taking his son as a student in painting. Mechanical side of art. Recom- mends Copley. June 20. Copley to Henry Pelham 120 Is hard at work. Harmonside. Family messages. June 23. Henry Pelham to Copley 120 Family matters. Birth in the Pelham family. Sale of the mare. Otis and the law suit. Progress on his house. Contents xi July 7. Henry Pelham to Copley 123 Hears he was invited to Philadelphia. Powder House bill. Lucy and the Pep- perells. Trouble with Mrs. Dawson. Green's lines on Checkley's portrait. July 11. Henry Pelham to Copley 126 Family items, and the lawsuit. July 14. Copley to Henry Pelham 127 Manner of spending his time.