Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-06-13
of Distinguished Penn
SylVanianS.

served IN the seven years war, In WniCis~ ne
rose to the rank of Colonel, abandoned the mil
itary career, resumed his studies, and turning
his views to diplomacy, was sent in 76 to Ba-
varia, and distinguished himself in the negotia-
tions which took place in regard to the Bavari-
an successor. In '78 he was appointed to
| succeed Gerard as minister to the United States
and conducted himself during his five years
residence in Philadelphia, with prudence,
wisdom and concern for their interests, that
gained him the esteem and affections of the
Americans. In 1880, when the American ar
my was in the most destitute condition, and the
government without resources, he raised mo-
ney on his own responsibility, and without
waiting for orders from his court, to relieve
the distress. He exerted himself to raise pri-
vate subscriptions, and placed his own name at
the head. In '83 he returned to France, hav-
ing received the most fattering expressions of
esteem from Congress, and in '6S was sent am
bassador to London, where he remained till
his death in 81. When the federal govern
ment was organized the Secretary Of State
(Jeferson) addressed letter to the Cheralier
de la Luzerne, by direction of Washington, for
the purpose of making an express acknowledge
ment of his services, and the sense of them en-
tertained by the nation. Luzerne county in
this State was named in his honor.
CHARLES w. PEALE, the founder of the
Philadelphia Museu.n, was born of English pa
rents at Chestertown, Maryland in l741 was
apprenticed to saddler at Annapolis and mar
ried at an early age. He sucessively carried
on the trades Of saddler. harness maker, silver
smith, matchmaker and carver; and afterwards
as recreation from his sedentary practice of
portrait painting, became sportsman, natural
lst and preserver of animals made himself q
violin and guitar invented and executed va
rlety Of machines; and was the first dentist in
this country, that made sets Of enamel teeth.
At the age of 26, he was first excited to become
apainter, by the desire of surprising the wretch
ed things which he happened to meet with. At
this time Hesseluia, portrait painter from the
school of Sir Godfrey Kneller was living near
Annapolis Mr.. Peale selecting the handsom-
est saddle his shop afforded, as present to the
artist, introduced himself and solicited the ia
vor OF seeing, for the first time, the mysterious
operations of painting. Mr.. H. gave him es-
sential instruction, and he afterwards received
similar services from Mr.. Copley Gather Of the
present Lord Lyndhurst) on visit to Boston.
Soon after by the aid of his friends, he went
TO England and studied during the years 10
and II in the Royal Academy at London, un-
der the directod of Mr.. West Col. Trumbull
says, that. one day when he was in Mr. Vests
painting room, some hammerng arrested his
attention. "Oh" said Mr. w. "that is only
that ingenious young man Mr.. Peale, repairing
some of my bells or locks according to custom"
This custom much to the comfort and amuse-
ment of many host, he continued all through
life, whenever he was on a visit TO the country,
either for business or pleasure. On his return
America, he removed to Baltimore, where he
opened picture gallery. For about Is years
he was only portrait painter in North America;
and persons came to him to be painted from
Canada and the West Indies During the rev.
olutionary war, he raised company, was often
employed in confidential services, and was en-
gagged in the battles of Trenton and German
town. In TT he was elected representative
of Philadelphia in the State Legislature, where
he chiefly interested himself in the law, for the
abolition Of slavery. During the contest, he
had painted the portraits of many distinguished
officers, some of whom were afterwards billed.
This collection constituted the chief interest oi
his gallery and was from time to time extended,
and afterwards made to comprise the portraits
of men, eminent in the different walks of life.
Some large bones of the mammoth found in
Kentucky, and brought to him to be drawn,
laid the foundation of his museum, when the
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