Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-11-04
Mi9ceuaMe0uS.
The Sculptor Powers Report of
Committee.
To His Erccllency, the Governor of Yer
mont:

mont:
Respectfully report the undersigned,
appointed under resolution Of the Gencr-
al Assembly ofthe State Of Vermont, to
correspond with The sculptor Powers con-
corning the execution OF the statues Of
Ethan Allen and Thomas Chittenden,
that in pursuance of said resolution, they
addressed to Mr. Powers letter, whereof
the following is a copy:
Huntington, Vermont, June II, lS47.
Sir:
Under the authority of n resolution Of
tho General Assembly Of Vermont, his
Excellorcy tho Governor has appointed
Us committee to correspond with you,
and inquire upon what terms, and within
what time, you will execute for the State,
statues OF Ethan Allen and Thomas Chit
tenden, to be placed in inches in the lob
by of the Capitol a, Montpelier.
We enclose for your Information de.
scription aud plan Of the apartment in
which it is proposed TO place the statues,
and if the General Assembly should au-
thorze your employment, the best His
tories Of Vermont, and all other means OF
information concerning the lives and char
ncters orthese eminent patriots, will be
transmitted TO you. TO the best of our
knowledge, no busts or portraits of Chit
tcnden or Allen are extani, nor has trad'
ton preserved any other description Of
the person of either, than that they were
men of large stature, muscular frame, and
severity of expression BETTING the stern
und arduous duties, which their position
and the necessity Of the times imposed up
on thom.
In testify ing our gratitude that your
first commission from Vermont will pro
badly be, not from private citizen, but
from the whole people, of a State which
is Justly proud OF having given birth to
the first of living soul Ytors, and which,
we arc happy TO know, yon still remember
with the affection that no true and goncr-
Gus man can ever cease to feel for his
natal soil, we trust you will pardon us for
suggesting that Vermont has claims upon
you not TO be postponed to those Ofa any
other patron, and expressing the hope that
you will permit no less important engage
ment to prevent you from soon beslowiug
upon the beautiful Capitol ofyour native
State the most appropriate Of decorations
the images of the famous among the
fathers of her people, from the hand of The
mos, renowned Of her sons.
We are, sir, with the highest respect,
Your obedient servants,
G. P. MARSH,
CHARLES PAINE.
H'H' n, Powers Esq.
TO which letter the undersigned have
received the annexed reply, and they
think themselves at liberty to ubjoin the
following extract from private letter ad
dressed by the sculptor TO one of them:
i have stated in the accompanying let
ter, that six years would be the time with
in which could execute the two statues
This may seem long, but have already
other works, which | am bound to exc
cute without unnecessary delay | could
have one OF them done much sooner, but
not both. With regard TO the personal
appearance of the originals Of the propos-
sd statues, it seems should have to form
my own ideas, as you say, that there are
NO known likcnesses Of either of them in
existence. remember having read their
histories, bu. have no books here to re-
fresh my memory. 1presome that the
style OF dress Of their times would afford
the mos, acceptable, and perhaps The most
appropriate costumes; and for my own
part, should prefer to shew them, if pos
sible, as they really appeared; but how far
rhis could be done remains 10 be shown.
canno: imagine these men in Greek Or
Roman costumes.
"A statue or picture always produces
the best effect, when it illustrates some
act or sentiment, and should hope to
find in the lives of these patriots. some e.
vents, which their statues might be made
TO commemorate; and suggestions on this
point might prove very useful 10 me.
Since the undersigned addressed their
communication TO MIR Powers, they have
learned that there exists at Montreal, IA
historical picture representing striking
scene in the life of Allen, and that his
portrait 10 the picture was painted from
tho life. Doubtless permission could be
obtained to copy the portrait for tho use
of the ulp,or. and recent information
leads the undersigned to believe that
minute and faithful desert ptions of The per-
sons and costumes of both Allen and Chit
tenden are still a,tainable. A trilling sum
would defray the expense Of Obtaining the
copy, the books, and all other information
necessary for Mr. Powers, and if the Leg
stature shall authorize his employment,
small appropriation for the purpose of pro-
curing them will probably be necessary
at the present session.
1t is not within the province of the UNI
dersigned to enlarge upon the various con-
sideratious which seem to enforce the ex-
pediency and propriety Of public honors
to virtue and public patronage Of art, but
they hope it will not be deemed imper-
tinen, in them to suggest, that there is no
worlhier method oflestifying our respect
for genius and our reverence for wisdom
and valor, than by appropriating small
0ort,on nf onr ,Ol,,ont rosonrcoa In nm