February 24th
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“No dray moves more readily to the Thill, than I do to the Painters Chair.”
National Park Service
To Francis Hopkinson
Mount Vernon, 16 May 1785
Dear Sir
In for a penny, in for a pound is an old adage. I am so hackneyed to the touches of the Painters pencil, that I am now altogether at their beck, and sit like patience on a Monument whilst they are delineating the lines of my face.
It is a proof among many others of what habit and custom can effect. At first I was as impatient at the request, and as restive under the operation, as a Colt is of the Saddle. The next time, I submitted very reluctantly, but with less flouncing. Now, no dray moves more readily to the Thill, than I do to the Painters Chair. It may easily be conceived therefore that I yielded a ready obedience to your request, and to the views of Mr. Pine*.
Artist: Robert Pine. NPG
Letters from England, recommendatory of this Gentleman, came to my hands previous to his arrival in America; not only as an Artist of acknowledged eminance, but as one who had discovered a friendly disposition towards this Country, for which, it seems, he had been marked.
It gave me pleasure to hear from you. I shall always feel an interest in your happiness, and with Mrs. Washington’s compliments, and best wishes joined to my own, for Mrs. Hopkinson and yourself, I am—Dr Sir, Yr Most Obedt & Affecte Hble Servant**
G:o Washington
* the painter
** Seven years later, on 3 July 1792 Washington would write concerning portrait painters: “I am so heartily tired of the attendance which, from one cause or another, I have bestowed on these kind of people, that it is now more than two years since I have resolved to sit no more for any of them; and have adhered to it; except in instances where it has been requested by public bodies, or for a particular purpose (not of the Painters) and could not, without offence, be refused.”
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