Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-16
MIMETEEMTH CONGRESS.
MONDAY, DEcEMBER II, 1926.
HOUSE OF REPRESENT
SECOND sEssIor

Mr.. Henry, representative from the Stale NJ
kentucky, In the room of Robert p Henry. de-
ceassd, appeared, was qualified, and took his seat
ihe Speaker laid before the House the foI,a7yine
communication from the sons of the late BENJAMIN
vest, which he had received during the recess OF
congress, and which was ordered TO- be laid On the
table and printed:
To the Hon. J. ". Taylor. Speaker Of tn.
House Of Representatives. an the u. States
of .4merica.
SIR: The sons of the late Benjamin West, Pre-
siden, of the Royal Academy Of London, mos,
respectfully address you. Their motive for thus
addressing you is, to request that you will do
them the favor TO represent TO Congress the desire
they have of offering The body OF their fathers
works, which has devolved 10 them, to the Gov.
eminent Of the U. States, for purchase; feeling
deeply impressed with the conviction, that the
works of their father should find their anal place
OF destiny in his native country. Their father was
the first American born subject who distingui. shed
himself by spontaneous pursuit Of the fine arts;
his extraordinary love, FOR which induced him to
leave his native country in the 2lst year of his
age, to study the works OF the renowned master
of that art which were to be in Italy
After the completion of his studies in Italy,
which he prosecuted during five years, with such
avidity. that it occasioned fever which nearly de-
prive. him OF life, he wen, for England, where bis
=
ton Of some leading amateur characters; and bis
having painted picture of an Interesting subiec,
that displayed his abilities, for the Archbishop OF
York, he shortly after became honored by the no
tce and patronage Of the King, George III) who
beneicenly sustained him in his practice and study
of the fne arts for nearly 40 years, and engaged
him in great plans, from the subjects Of English
history, and the sacred writings, for the e,ubcI-
lishmeat of Windsor Castle.
81 xNf.
one of the original founders of the Royal Acade-
my in London. In testimony also of his talents
and the esteem in which be was held by his con-
tcinporaries in the arts, they elected him 81 times
President of the Academy OF Painting, Sculpture
and Architecture, (of which ne was one OF the
original founders,) and a further sanction of the
abilities he possessed an artist, and of the
spreading abroad OF his fame, he likewise receiy>
ed honorable Distinctions from most of the acade-
mics for the encouragement and promotion of the
fine arts, in the polished countries of Europe
Whenever bis works first made their appearance
before the public, they excited very strong SEN
saton throughout the metropolis, and his three
latter productions Christ healing the sick in the
temple, (Which has since been presented TO the
Hospital OF Philadelphia Christ rejected by the
Jews, and his daring and extraordinary picture Of
Death on the Pale Horse, produced no common
sensation the minds Of the people OF England.
his slst year, was considered and felt az a public
loss, for the circumstance of his latter produc-
tons appearing at his venerable age, amongst the
most vigorous and sublime of his works occasion
ed a very remarkable augmentation to his fame, at
the close of his life. His remains were honored
by public funeral, and were inferred in the great
Cathedral of st. PauPs, within the City of London,
where all the members Of the Royal Academy,
many of the nobility, his relatives, and select
&. l. III ~ 4
OF his genius and in respect for his excellent moral
character and smsble disposition. But he had enc
mics who occasioned him much anxiety and diff
Guilty in his latter years.
The career he ran in the arts while residing in
London, occupied space OF more than half a
century. lie left his native country in the year
1860, and became deceased in the city Of London
on the 10th March, 1920 The number of the
works that tie has left behind him is indeed truly
astonishing. His whole life was one scene of in
dus,ry, persev erance and endeayors to perfect h.
self the art, and TO dispense TO others especial
Iy to young and rising artists,) the knowledge
that be had thus diligently acquired.
i, is, therefore, very generally considered, that
so long as science or art shall exist, the Of
Benjamin West will Stand pre-euinent in honors-
Die fame
After giving this little outline OF the life of Mrs.
West, bis sons nov beg Of you TO offer, IN their
names, TO the Government oil the United States,
that portion Of his works which has devolyed 10
them.
They hope that the offer will not be rejected,
degouly wishing that the name Of their father
may thus bonorably be transmitted TO The posleri,y
Of The country wherein he was born; and that the
portion Of his works which they now offer, may
form the foundation of School for the growth Of
the Fine Arts, in the rapidly advancing States Of
America. In Europe, almost every where is 10
be seen what is generally denomiaaed National
o llsry, composed Of pictures and sis,9ss by ~