Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-04
STATUE OF THOMAS JEFFERSON.
From the Washington Correspondent Of the Bos
tom Post)

An officer of the u S. Navy, LIT URIAH PHIL
LIPS LEVY, has presented to his countrymen
colossal statue In bronze of the immortal Au-
thor of the declaration of independence, THO
MAS JEFFERSON. The intention the donor
was communicated to the Senate by letter yester-
day and the subject referred to the Committee on
the Library The statue was placed Temporal
rily in the centre of the Rotunda on Saturday,
but will probably be permanently placed in the
hall of the House of Representatives, between
the centre pillars of the ladies gallery 1t
weighs 50 cwt., and is about seven feet high, be-
sides the pedestal, which is about one foot. The
original model of the statue in plaster, has been
given to the city of New York Bronze, as it is
well known, is a costly material, consisting of
copper, zinc, and silver; and those who profess
to be acquainted with the value of this kind Of
statuary say this must have cost fourteen or
fifteen thousand dollars. The donor however,
refuses to tell what it cost. He has the honor,
whatever it may cost of bestowing upon his fell
low citizens the first statue of bronze that has
ever been possessed in this country; and one too,
of one of the first and greatest men OF which
this country can boast
The statue was modelled at Paris by David,
and cast by Croman & Sons The Declaration
of Independence, in large sunk letters, in sheet
representing an unfolded and uneven roll of
parchment is holden in the left hand ofthe sta
tue, the right hand being crossed over the left
breast with pen in it; and the countenance
turned little to the right; while the left foot is
in advance The costume is the single breasted
coat of the Quaker fashion, except it has pock-
et-faps; the buttons are large; the walstcoat is
long with flaps, the frill of the shirt is exhibited
modestly; Slight stock, and the collar turned
over small clothes, and shoes, with buckles, COM
plete the dress; the hair hangs in locks on the
brow. and is queued, with riband On the
pedestal. with a laurel crown upon them, rest
the two volumes of the Notes on Virginia.
Thus have given you slight description OF
this splendid statue, and munihcent and patrio-
tic donation.
Who. YOU will ask, is the donor? He is ma
tive. | understand, of Philadelphia, and resi-
dent of Virginia. Heis a descendant OF the Mac
cabees, and countryman OF Isaiah. He be-
longs to a race to whom, in Europe, Napoleon
first extended the rights of citizenship; and
whose example England has lately attempted to
follow; on whom the constitution of this country
has bestowed all the privileges of its trusts and
ipnors: whose example every State In the UNI
ON. except Maryland, has followed.
His commission as lieutenant Of the Navy,
dates from lS17-and he is known as a valiant
officer and an accomplished gentleman. He
is abont the middlng height, say feet g.
fine nroportioned, dark complexion, with no.
thino very peculiar in his countenance, but
dark and piercing eye. He is apparently from
thirtv-seyen to forty years Of age. He has
spent considerable time in France and Germa-
nv. on leave of absence, and acquired SO much
of foreign accent, that together with his mus
tache. he would not be taken for an American:
but his muni6cence, and patriotism, and valor,
are plenary evidence of his undisputed claim
TO American birth and citizenship