Morse and his wife go to Charleston, South Carolina.--Hospitably entertained and many portraits painted.--Congratulates Allston on his election to the Royal Academy.--Receives commission to paint President Monroe.--Trouble in the parish at Charlestown.--Morse urges his parents to leave and come to Charleston.--Letters of John A. Alston.--Return to the North.--Birth of his first child.--Dr. Morse and his family decide to move to New Haven.--Morse goes to Washington.--Paints the President under difficulties.--Hospitalities.--Death of his grandfather.--Dr. Morse appointed Indian Commissioner.--Marriage of Morse's future mother-in-law. --Charleston again.--Continued success.--Letters to Mrs. Ball.-- Liberality of Mr. Alston.--Spends the summer in New Haven.--Returns to Charleston, but meets with poor success.--Assists in founding Academy of Arts, which has but a short life.--Goes North again CHAPTER XII MAY 23, 1821--DECEMBER 17, 1824 Accompanies Mr. Silliman to the Berkshires.--Takes his wife and daughter to Concord, New Hampshire.--Writes to his wife from Boston about a bonnet.--Goes to Washington, D.C.--Paints large picture of House of Representatives.--Artistic but not financial success.--Donates five hundred dollars to Yale.--Letter from Mr. De Forest.--New York "Observer."--Discouragements.--First son born.--Invents marble-carving machine.--Goes to Albany.--Stephen Van Rensselaer.--Slight encouragement in Albany.--Longing for a home.--Goes to New York.--Portrait of Chancellor Kent.--Appointed attaché to Legation to Mexico.--High hopes.-- Takes affecting leave of his family.--Rough journey to Washington.-- Expedition to Mexico indefinitely postponed.--Returns North.--Settles in New York.--Fairly prosperous CHAPTER XIII JANUARY 4, 1825--NOVEMBER 18, 1825 Success in New York.--Chosen to paint portrait of Lafayette.--Hope of a permanent home with his family.--Meets Lafayette in Washington.--Mutually attracted.--Attends President's levee.--Begins portrait of Lafayette.-- Death of his wife.--Crushed by the news.--His attachment to her.--Epitaph composed by Benjamin Silliman.--Bravely takes up his work again.-- Finishes portrait of Lafayette.--Describes it in letter of a later date. --Sonnet on death of Lafayette's dog.--Rents a house in Canal Street, New York.--One of the founders of National Academy of Design.--Tactful resolutions on organization.--First thirty members.--Morse elected first president.--Reëlected every year until 1845.--Again made president in 1861.--Lectures on Art.--Popularity CHAPTER XIV JANUARY 1, 1826--DECEMBER 5, 1829