Richard Henry Lee to Edmund Jenings

I hope your goodness will pardon me for the trouble I am going to give you. The Gentlemen in this County having great veneration for the character of Lord Camden, particularly for his noble support of America’s liberty against the Stamp Act, wish much to have his Lordships picture to grace their Court house. For this purpose they have paid into my hands the sum of £76.8. sterling, which I inclose you two bills of exchange for, and beg the favor of you to wait on Ld. Camden with the inclosed letter which entreats his Lordships permission to the taking his picture. This being obtained I must leave to yr. judgment the choice of a Limner, observing only that the Gentleman would prefer Reynolds, unless you should think his difference of price may be more than his superiority in painting. Indeed I cannot help thinking, for my own part, that Mr. West, being an American, deserves the preference in this business, if his skill should approach near to that of the best Limners, as I am informed it does.¹ As £76.8. is the whole sum subscribed, out of this must come the charge for the frame of the picture (which let be a plain gilt one) with the case, and the shipping charges. The balance will be the neat sum for the Painters fee, to be applied, if it will be sufficient, to draw his Lordship at full length in Judges robes - But if it will not be enough for this, then he is to be drawn as far [ ] as the money will permit. I have been told there is a method of placing strong Canvass at the back of the picture so as to secure it greatly from the injuries of time & moisture. Be pleased to consult the Painter on this head, and let it be done, if he thinks proper, under his direction. The place where the picture is to be put renders it necessary also, that a rod should be fixed for hanging a Curtain before it, which curtain may be sent with the picture. Capt. Johnstoun who delivers you this, will receive and take proper care of the picture when it is finished and carefully put up for the voyage. I must once more entreat your forgiveness for troubling you in this affair. I thought you would not be displeased at this testimony of our esteem for the Patriot whose virtue has saved our common Country.

I am with esteem &c

R. H. Lee

To Edmund Jenings Esqr. at his Chambers in Lincoln Inn - London

By these Copies it appears that Mr. Campbels name is not to the²