Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-02-15

Mr.. Spencer replied, that he had under
stood the president, gave his permission that
the picture should be shown for the pur-
pose OF ascerfaining whether the likenesses
were deemed correct; but not that it should
be carried about and. exposed for money.
The exhibition, Mrs. said, he had heard,
had produced 5000 dollars in Boston, and
he supposed more than 5000 in Philadel-
phia, and proportionable sum in Bait
more, where it was now exhibiting. At any
rate, as the payment for The painting was
not TO be made before delivery, he should
oppose the appropriation at this time. II
would in his opinion be perfectly proper
for the house to express lis feelings by de-
ferring the appropriation until the next
year.
Mr.. Smith, of Maryland, observed that
the picture reached Baltimore some days
ago, on its way here; and he knew that
Col. Trumbul had been making prepare
lions for transporting it hther-it might
indeed have already arrived, and, it not
paid for or delivery, it would be a violation
Of the contract 1t was certainly proper to
provide the means Of paying for If now,
though payment would not be made before
delivery.
Mr.. Lowndes confessed that he concur
red very much in opinion with Mr.. Spcn-
Ger, as to the exhibition of the painting -
He regretted extremely that it should have
been thus used by Col. Trumbull. But,
Mr.. L said, if the other party had acted
incorrectly, it was no reason that the 60
vernment should not comply with its con.
tract. Whether Col. Trumbull had done
wrong or not, the painting, it was stipula-
ted, should be paid for when delivered and
this could not be done unless the money
should be PrevIously appropriated. While
the obligation existed, the house must COM
ply with it,and whatever his feelings might
be respecting the proceeding advertcd to.
he could not consent 10 withhold The appro-
prlaton.
MIR. Harrison said, he approved of the
course pursued by Col. TrumbuII, in gra-
Trying, as far as he was able, the public
curiosity and regretted that the painting
could not he exhibited in every part Of the
country, that all might view it. It was, lie
thought, a very proper use for the painting.
A: any rate, it was no reasoa for withhold
ing the appropriation, that it had been ex-
hibited for public inspection. The Presi.
dent certainly would not have sanctioned
an improper exhibition Of the painting ard
1t was reasonable TO conclude, as il was
with his consent, that it had heen exhibit
ed in an unotjectionablc manner, SC.
Mr.. Mills concurrei in opinion with Mr..
Harrison. The object of the painting wa.
to commemorate one of the greatest events
in all history-an event, above all, dear
to The people of this country. And was
this representation of it executed for the
benefit or qualification Of this house, or OF
congress alone 4? Had the public no right
10 be gralifed with a view of what the
national Legislature had thought it wor-
thy TO expend the public money for If so,
could it be expected that the people
could all come here TO sec it? II was
subject in which all were interested, and
in which all had an equal right. In Civ
ing, as far as he could, an opportunity to
distant citizens to view this interesting
work, col. Trumbull could not undertake
to do SO at his own expence, but was obi
ged to resort TO some mode of defraying
the expence. Mr. Nj. denied that any
harm would ensue from what col. r. had
done--the painting was not injured-none
Of its beauties impaired and, indeed,
what he had done was in itself laudable.
MIR. Al. said he was not so selfish as TO re-
greet the exhibition, or TO consider the paint
ings of less value, because i had been
locked at by his fellow citizens in other
parts of the country. The appropriation
was necessary now, even if the picture
should not be delivered in six months
and, therefore, in any view, should not be
withheld.
Mr.. Livermore said, the house was call
ed on to fulfil cont. ct entered into by
the United States, and there was no discre-
ton in the case, even though the contract
was an extraordinary one, and certainly
that was an extraordinary contract which