DOCUMENT No. 120. To National Bank Note Company. POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THIRD ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL, Washington, D. C., November 17, 1869. MY DEAR SIR: Referring to my letter of yesterday, I now have this, additional, to report in reference to postage-stamps. I found to-day in the Capitol a glorious “Jefferson," and I desire it adopted instead of the head recently engraved by you in profile. The change will be very satisfactory to you, as well as to the Department. I also found a splendid "Hamilton" in the Capitol, and expect soon to find a better "Jackson" than the new two-cent, and therefore ask you to stop work on Jackson for the present. I also hope to get Judge McLean and General Scott in a few days-profiles-and perhaps Commodore Perry. Question. If I find heads that will suit the Department, will you authorize me to have Brady photograph them and send them to you at the expense of the National Bank Note Company? I presume you will have no difficulty in finding standard busts of Clay and Webster. You had better make search for them at once, so as to avoid delay should we finally decide to adopt them, as I think we will. There are some admirable copies of both heads in plaster, made from original marbles, and I think you will find them at Wells's "bumpological" establishment in New York. The reason we wish the two-cent new Jackson changed, is, it is believed a more characteristic picture of the old hero can be obtained. Yours is too young and not likely to be generally recognized. "Old Hickory" is what we want. The ones, threes, and sixes, (Franklin, Washington, and Lincoln,) are all right and will not be changed. You can proceed with the permanent plates for them without delay. Write me at once whether I shall have the photographs taken, as above suggested, and believe me, in great haste, W. H. H. TERRELL, Third Assistant Postmaster-General. Truly yours, J. MACDONOUGH, Esq., Secretary National Bank Note Company, No. 1 Wall street, New York. DOCUMENT No. 121. From National Bank Note Company. NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY, DEAR SIR: We are in receipt of your communications of 16th and 17th instant, and would esteem it a favor if you will obtain from Mr. Brady, at our expense, photographic copies in profile of approved busts, or bas-reliefs, or medallions of Jefferson. Jackson, and other heads which you may decide upon as suitable to be engraved for the stamps. If Clay and Webster can be found in any of the public buildings at Washington, they would probably prove to be better than casts we could obtain here, for the reason that the original molds become greatly impaired from use, and lose their characteristic markings, and casts from them are not reliable. So it was with the Jackson, the only one we could find, which is identified only by the superabundance of coat-collar. The Hamilton family have a fine bust, which they pronounce a perfect likeness, and we can undoubtedly obtain it, although we would prefer the bust at the Capitol, as it must be better known among the people. In having copies taken, please caution the photographer to give us full profile; i. e.. with the bust turned rather toward the camera, than away from it, and to let the light fall on the face in such a way as to bring out the lines which mark the character, and, if possible, to have a half-tint background, so that "lights" and "darks" may be equally relieved. We hoped to have heard from you on the subject of the "books," as to whether we should not use a much cheaper style of binding than the samples sent you. Very respectfully, &c., General W. H. H. TERRELL, J. MACDONOUGH, Secretary. Third Assistant Postmaster-General, Washington, D. C. P. S. From our trials with gum we find only one specimen which seemed to promise a better result than what we had been using, but on investigation we find that it is a compound of arsenic, and on that account would not recommend its use. Respectfully, &c., DOCUMENT No. 122. To National Bank Note Company. POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, J. M. OFFICE OF THIRD ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL, Washington, D. C., December 13, 1869. MY DEAR SIR: The profile busts taken by Brady have all been approved by the Postmaster-General, who also is pleased with the bust of Perry as sketched by Wolcott, upon my representation that it was equal in all respects to the rest. The photograph of Jackson from the Powers bust, in possession of the city of Memphis, which I sent for some two weeks ago, has not yet been received. I have telegraphed for it. As soon as it comes to hand I will promptly send it forward to you. I return the photographs of Jefferson and the sketches of Scott and Perry, together with the specimens of stamp-borders which you gave me. Let me remind you of a suggestion I made, and which you regarded as sensible and appropriate, that something be worked in the borders (accessories) of Scott and Perry that will remind the public of the military and naval services respectively. Do not forget to send me the designs you may make for borders (accessories) as soon as they are executed. A great deal-almost everything-depends upon these points. But by no ineans must the engraving of the heads be delayed. The Postmaster-General, President, and cabinet, no less than myself, to say nothing of the "great public," are enthusiastic on the early prospect of getting out the new series of stamps, and the work must be pressed forward with all possible dispatch. The photographs of busts made by Brady, which I brought home with me, were kept by Mr. Creswell, and, if you please, I would like to have another set for office use; also a copy of Perry as sketched by Wolcntt. The inclosed article was published in the city morning papers to-day, and I gave the same information to the New York correspondents and agent of the Associated Press yesterday. Should any other newspaper folks want further information give it to them freely. Please ascertain from what busts (by whom made and where they are) the heads of Franklin and Hamilton were taken. Trusting you will be able to press this business to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion, and thanking you for your many courtesies during my recent visit to New York, I remain, with high regard, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. MACDONOUGH, W. H. H. TERRELL, Third Assistant Postmaster-General. Secretary National Bank Note Company, No. 1 Wall street, New York. DOCUMENT No. 123. To National Bank Note Company. POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THIRD ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL, Washington, D. C., December 14, 1869. MY DEAR SIR: The inclosed photographs, taken from Power's bust of Andrew Jackson in the public square, Memphis, Tennessee, were received this morning. They are very poor, but I send them supposing you may make something out of them. The two (marked No. 1 No. 2) are the best, though they face the wrong way. If you can transfer the face to the left and bring out the features strikingly, so as to make the head look like "Old Hickory," go ahead. Otherwise, give the photographer instruetions to make another trial. By the way, I notice from Coffee's catalogue he has a Jackson bust, thongh I do not remember to have seen it when you and I were at his establishment. Will you please call and see what it amounts to? If it will do, get Brady to make a photograph of it, same size as the others, and send me two copies. I send the Memphis photographer's bill, which you will please pay. J. MACDONOUgh, Esq., W. H. H. TERRELL, Third Assistant Postmaster-General. Secretary National Bank Note Company, No 1 Wall street, New York City. P. S.-I wrote you yesterday. DOCUMENT NO. 124. From National Bank Note Company. NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY, DEAR SIR: We are in receipt of your esteemed favor of 13th instant, with inclosures. The photographs from Brady and finished drawings of Commodore Perry, from Walcutt, were received yesterday, and are now being reduced; we will order copies of the busts for your official use, and forward them soon as obtained from Brady. The engraving of the busts will be pushed forward as rapidly as consistent with good workmanship, and designs of the borders (including the suggested accessories to Scott and Perry) will be submitted for your approval before they are engraved. We will obtain the information required in relation to the busts of Franklin and Hamilton, and advise you. You may rely upon our carnest endeavor to furnish the new stamps at the earliest possible moment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, General W. H. H. TERRELL, J. MACDONOUGH, Secretary. Third Assistant Postmaster-Master General, Washington, D. C. DOCUMENT No. 125. NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY, DEAR SIR: Your favor of 14th instant-copy of letter from postmaster at Memphis of 10th instant-several decidedly bad photographs of Jackson, and bill for the same, have been received. If the photographer had not "doctored" his negatives, it would have been better: but we think by careful treatment we can get along without having him try again. We will remit the amount of bill direct to postmaster at Memphis. The "Coffee" bust is the same coat-collar affair we have already engraved. General W. H. H. TERRELL, J. MACDONOUGH, Secretary. Third Assistant Postmaster-Master General, Washington, D. C. DOCUMENT No. 126. From National Bank Note Company. NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY. DEAR SIR: I send you herein four "Jackson" photographs, and respectfully submit for your consideration No. 3, which I carefully worked up, as it seemed to promise the best result; you will notice that I have strengthened the features, reduced the size of the lower lip, and removed the drapery; the latter operation was a delicate matter, as the Lord only (who created the anatomy) knew what was likely to turn up beneath it. The heads on Nos. 1 and 2 are too much foreshortened by the camera, and would appear distorted when engraved; still, if you decide to have them instead of No. 3, I will do the best I can with them. Please return the four photographs, with your criticisms, which shall have all attention. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, General W. H. H. TERRELL, J. MACDONOUGH, Secretary. Third Assistant Postmaster-Master General, Washington, D. C. DOCUMENT No. 127. To National Bank Note Company. POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THIRD ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL, MY DEAR SIR: I acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letters of 14th, 15th, and 16th instant. And now in regard to the Memphis bust of Jackson. I return the photographs (Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4) and agree with you that No. 3 is the best of the lot, though I must say I am not altogether satisfied with it, while I admit your manipulation of the picture has greatly improved it. Mr. Creswell thinks it "very good," and that the people will readily recognize it as "Old Hickory." This, of course, is an important point; but never having seen the "old hoss," I can't express an opinion. I beg to suggest, however, that the picture will be improved if you will trim off a portion of the hero's back hair, all the pictures I have ever seen representing his head as thin and high. Also that his chin may be very properly toned down a very little. In regard to the hair, No. 1 of the series of photographs is much better, as well as the general pose. But I leave all this to your better judgment, satisfied that you have the best Jackson you can get. I received to-day from the Mint at Philadelphia a cast in wax of the big medal presented by Congress. It is about the same as the cast from which you made the stamp with the huge coat-collar, and I only send it to corroborate my statement that the head was high and narrow. When you are done with it please return to me. One word about Lincoln, (six cents.) The head, I understood you to say, was not finished. In finishing it cannot the cheek, below the cheek bone, be brought out a little, so that the expression will be somewhat less cadaverous and less like that of the "Knight of the Sorrowful Figure," Don Quixote? I think, too, the hair on top might be shortened slightly and tumbled a little, as, according to my recollection, “Old Abe” never, or at least very seldom, wore his hair smooth. In great haste, truly yours, W. H. H. TERRELL, Third Assistant Postmaster-General. J. MACDONOUGH, Esq., Secretary National Bank Note Company, No. 1 Wall street, New York. DOCUMENT No. 128. To National Bank Note Company. POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THIRD ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL, Washington, D. C., January 18, 1870. MY DEAR SIR: Accept my thanks for the specimens of gum. I will endeavor to have them tested soon, and will report result. Please do not relax your efforts to discover something that will absolutely overcome the difficulty now so generally complained of. Will you do me the favor to see the binders who are getting up the proofs of the present series of stamps and urge them to forward the balance of the 100 sets ordered as soon as possible. It's a long time since the order was given. The "conference" of postmasters, which assembled here last week, indorsed the efforts of the Department to provide a new and more tasty series of stamps, and recommended the use of a better article of gum. I send copy of their "resolution." DEAR SIR: The Clay (twelve-cent) looks much better than your first effort. It will do. The Lincoln (six cent) is yet to come, with his hair properly parted. As soon as you can do so send me a sheet of proofs of each stamp, in colors, as adopted for permanent use. These are for the "press." You might also, at the same time, send me a sheet (gummed and perforated) of each stamp, as I shall be continually pressed for specimens. Think about my suggestion to print a set of proofs of all the stamps, each denomination in the proper color, on a plate by itself, with date of issue etched, &c. We will need several hundred of these. DEAR SIR: Your esteemed favor of 21st instant came duly to hand, accepting the "Clay" twelve-cent stamp. We send herewith proofs of the Lincoln six-cent, and trust you will find we have parted his hair in a satisfactory manner, and will so alvise us. We are proving the transferred plates as fast as they are made ready, and will soon be able to forward them, together with the gummed and perforated sheets. Your suggestions in regard to proving all the stamps, each denomination in its proper color on a plate by themselves, with date of issue, &c., would, if carried out. give a work of great value, and be most acceptable to the public. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, General W. H. H. TERRELL, Third Assistant Postmaster-General, Washington. J. MACDONOUGH, Secretary. DOCUMENT No. 131. To National Bank Note Company. POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT. CFFICE OF THIRD ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL, Washington, D. C., March 24, 1870. DEAR SIR: Yours of 23d instant is received, with proof of six-cent stamp. The Lincoln hair, as to parting, will do. Please look at the back hair-is it not too clumsy, or too much after the style of Webster's whisker, which you worked over and. very much improved? Another point to be corrected is the shade under the jaw of Lincols |