“Martin mentioned to me that you wished my report for the month. I
lost two days, those consumed in traveling, the remainder of my
stay was spent working on the cartoons.
“Now I have completed the Treaty of William Penn and the Settlement
of New England, all ready for transfer in full size.
“With many thanks for your kindness and obligation.”
The following 1879 letter to Architect Clark is the only one found
written by the artist himself after his almost fatal fall from the
frieze on October 1, 1879:
“For answer to your desire for making the report of the time worked
in the present month of Nov. 1879, I can tell to have employed all
the working days in drawing the cartoons for the frieze now in
progress in the Rotunda of the Capitol, and having completed the
subject of Oglethorpe, and the Muskogee chief, with a portion of
the Insurrection of Lexington.
“I work sometime with difficulty when I am troubled by the asthma,
but after some rest I proceed with my work. I hope you will be very
kind in recommending my petition to the Honorable Committee.”