But Washington continued to carry on much of the letter-writing, especially the intimate, himself; and, like the Adamses and other statesmen of that period, he kept letter-books which contained the first drafts or copies of the letters sent.
Another source of annoyance, to which, however, he resigned himself as contentedly as he could, was the work of the artists who came to him to beg him to sit for his picture or statue.

Of the painters the most eminent were Charles Peale and his son Rembrandt.

Of the sculptors Houdon undoubtedly made the best life-sized statue--that which still adorns the Capitol at Richmond, Virginia--and from the time it was first exhibited has been regarded as the best, most lifelike.

Another, sitting statue, was made for the State of North Carolina by the Italian, Canova, the most celebrated of the sculptors of that day.

The artist shows a Roman costume, a favorite of his, unless, as in the case of Napoleon, he preferred complete nudity.