The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-02-01

has been pursued to this result, that this
was not one of those catchPenny projects BY
which ignorant and plausible men some
times impose upon public crcdulity, as GER
tain critics have heretofore affected to re-
gard it, but laudable devotion of private
talent to most honorable and useful public
purpose.
John Trumbull was born at Lebanon, in
Connecticut, on the 9Th June, 1855; his fath-
er was governor of that state during the
whole OF the revolution: his mother was fifth
in direct descent from the venerable John
Robinson, who, during the reign of James
the 1st, emigrated from England to Holland
at the head ofthose purtans, who afterwards,
in 1920, passed oyer to plymouth, and are
now revered as the pilgrim fathers of New
England.
| His early education was carefully conduct
ed, and he graduated at Harvard College in
1873, at the age of IL.
| In April, 1775, he entered the military
service as adJutant of the FIRST Connecticut
regiment.
In August, of the same year, he was ap-
pointed one of the aids-de-camp of General
Washington.
In June, 1776, when Gen. Gates was
transferred from the office OF adjutant sen-
eral to the command of the Northern DEF
partment, he was advanced to the very
important situation of that of adjutant gem
eral of that department with the rank of COL
onel.
In February, 1777, point of honour,
respecting the date of his commission, in
dnced him to resign: and he quilted the
military life before he had completed his 81
year.
i Ambitious Of fame, and mortified by the
Iimpossblity of connecting his name with the
great events of the revolution in military
character, he resolved to cultivate his natu-
raj taste for painting, and thus devote HIM
self to the commemoration of those scenes
in which he could no longer be an actor
Soon feeling the disadvantages under which
the study of the fine arts must be pursued
in this country, in which there was at that
time no living artist to give instruction, nor
any models for imitation, he went to France
in June, 1880, and thence soon found his way
: with letter from DR.. Eranklin) to Mr..
West in London; by him he was received
with great kindness, and instructed for
short time with parental care. But this
course was soon interrupted: the news OF
the death of Major Andre was received in
London in November of this year, and the
| young artist, who was known to have held
| the same rank in the American army that
Andre did in the British, was arrested on
the charge of high treason, committed to
/ prison, and remained in close confinement
, during months. Happily for him the tide
! of war changed, and instead of being brought
to trial, he was liberated in 1881, and return
ed to America.
e Not deferred by this hazardous adventure,
!, he, at the close of the contest, resumed his
! favorite project, returned to London in jan
!, uary, 1884; was again received with cordial
: kindness by Mr.. West, and under his instruc-
e ton resumed and pursued his studies with
: unremitted assiduity.
a In 1886 he produced his two first paintings
S Of American history-the death of General
e Warren at Bunker's Hill, and the death Of
j. Gen. Montgomery at Quebec. These pic
lures were seen and admired in France
:, Germany, and Prussia as we'll as in Eng
! land, and afforded evidence of a rapidity OF
e improvement unequalled by any other ex-
t. ample Ito our knowledge) in the history OF
: the arts. From these pictures copper plates
e were engraved by eminent artists under his
d direction and at his expense.
d Having by these compositions proved him.
it self to be equal to his meditated task, Col.
e Trumbull proceeded to mature his plan of a
}, series of pictures intended to commemorate
e the principal events, civil and military, of
j the American revolution, in which it was
C his object to preserve portraits OF the most
! distinguished men, and accurate details of
:, the arms, dresses, costume, and manners OF
: the times.
t In forming this outline of his project, and
e in the selection of his subjects, he was ia
;, voured with the advice and assistance OF
e those venerable patriots who have SO lately
e gone to their reward, John Adams, then min
It lister of the u. States in London, and Ihos;
!. Jefferson, who held the same situation in
n Paris.
J. The subjects selected we're
: 1. The death of Gen. Warren at Bunker's
d Hill, June IL, 1774
n 2. The death of Gen. Montgomery at
Quebec. Dec. 80, 1775.
t 5. The Declaration of independence
i Philadelphia. July 4. 1875.
i 4. The capture of the Hessians at irentohs
' Dec. IS, 1875.
i, S. The death of Gen. Mercer, at Prince
Y ton, Jan. 2, 1777.
6. The surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga,
Oct. s, 1777.
z. The treaty with France, Paris, 1873.
g. The battle of Eutaw Springs, 5. Carolina.
1880.
e 9. The surrender of Yorktown, Virginia
= 1881.
n 10. The treaty of peace, Paris, 1888.
E,o ol &c NJ Voply Nov