Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-05-21
TRUMBULI.s UNDERSTANDINGS.


the United States have employed Colonel
john Trumbul!, of this city, 10 paint Sc
vera! historical pictures, commemorative
OF some OF the most important events of
The war at Independence. These were
Tie DectoTGti0h IF Iadependence-Ih Cap
tire IF EWgogne Tie Capture Of Corn
WGthS-aad, Tile .Smrenderiag Of his Com
mission to Congress ty General WASHINGTON
utter Ike Peace. The first of these sDlen.
dId paintings is nearly finished, and will
be carried to Washington at the com
mencemeni of the next session of Con
gress. This picture covers a canvas
measuring eighteen by twelve feet, and
contains no less than fur,y.seven Dor
traits, ihiriyseNen of them taken from
the life by Col. Irumbuli, and the re-
manning ten from licensees drawn by
other artists, the originals having deceas-
ed before Col. Ir,Inbull had an opportu-
niiy TO obtain them. 1t represents Con
grsss IN session, al The moment when Mr..
Jefferson attended by the committee ap-
pointed for The purpose of drawing Tie
Declaration al Independence, q of which
he was chairman, is presenting the draft
oitlat nuw venerable insirEment. The
scene is one oftile most solemn, and sub
lime, thai can well be imagined; and t!le
ASSOCIATION ot ideas 10 which il gives rise,
Is OF the most Impressive and Interesting
character. No inhabitaut of this country
can view 1t, without experiencing II deep
sense q: the hazards which the members
oi that IlluSirious assembly thus voiunta-
rily assumed-Of the anxiety, the suffer
ings, and the triumphant success, hy
whlcA that most important Transaction was
followed. Before this great aud decisive
step was taken, the people of the States
considered themselves as ONLY struggling
against representation that moment
forward they coptended for existence.
In order 10 mnIiiply the copies of this
national picture, Colon,i TrumbtAi pro-
poses 10 procure il 10 be engraved by one
oil The most eminent artists III Europe.
provided subscription for the prints shall
be filled, which will justify him in hazard
ing the expense. The price OF the plate.
together with The incidental charges. will
sHrpass the sum which Comgr. IS allow
HIM Tor the original. Ii is therefore obvi-
Gus, that he must have Il reasonable pros
pect OF remuneration, before be ventures
Ia contract for the engraving. With lie
view OF ascertainlng the state of pub
lie feeling, and the extent of public
liheraiity, towards this specimen OF native
genius aud talents, he has issued propo-
sails for publishing the prints. Tie sub
scripiion, which is honored with the
names the fngr living Presidents of the
u. States, was presented to Congress the
last winter, and subscribed by large
number at the members of both Houses.
as we'll as by the Heads Of lie Depart
ment. Col. Trumbull now proposes 10
circulate II IN this city, for the purpose of
afiorGIng all opportunity TO tie iniabit-
ants OF the place of his residence TO pat
ronize The work under cousid; ration. AZ
ter which, it will be offered TO tie niab,-
tants OF the other large towns, and. as far
as is practicable, throughout The country.
We cannot but express the hope, that
the attempt thus making by this eminent
artist, and highly respectable native citi-
zen, will meet with a patronage. IL must
be highly gratifying circumstance TO
every friend 10 the independence Of the
country, to possess the real Hkenesses of
the distinguished patriots who ledtle way
by their DOid and enlightened policy, to
lis achievement. This can be done i'm no
way but by multiplying the copies of this
splendid work. Those copies can be muI-
tiplied i'll TO other mode, than by libe-
raj subscription 10 these proposals.
~. Yorb Adv.