Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-07
E ,

lofty thoughts and noble aims. The altitude is
graceful and sublime, and though time and a
want OF care have somewhat dimmed The bright
ness OF the picture, The coloring has The warmth
and richness of skilful artists pencil
To The right Of Lord Chs,ham's figure is a Ro-
man altar, with the veslal fire brightly burning
and laurel crown not far from the fame. The
two corners CT the altar, which are visible, are
supported by The heads of John Hampden and
Algernon Sydney-a small dag filling the inter-
medhe space, inscribed with Sydney's noble
mottdI" Sanetns Amor Patrie Dat An,nlun. -
lin The Stale Library there is a fine edition OF
SydDey's Essay on Government, in the tronIls-
piece Of which is a portrait oil The author, with
the flag and motto almost identical with those on
the picture We regret tina. some portions OF
this admirable picture have been defaced. and
we trust that the Legislature will authorize some
'cunnins" artist 10 give it few delicate touches
and restore lis colors. The Stale having under.
taken its safe keeping cannot 100 highly cherish
so interesting a memento OF the past.
To show how the picture found its way into
The State Library, we have taken a copy OF the
following papers in The Office OF the Clerk OF the
House OF Delegates:
VIRGINIA AT n Court of Monthly Sessions, begun
and held for Wesimoreland County, on Monday, The
25th day OF January, le47,
The Justices of this Court having been summoned To
appear here this day TO take some order touching the
preservation and disposal Of the Portrait oil Oro Una
ham il is ordered, that the proposition OF The Legs
aiure Of Virginia, submitted TO The County Court OF
Wrstmoreland, some years ago, IN featoh 10 sau ro,
trait be and the SAME Is hereby aopted and the Clerk
of this county is directed to send TO the Legislature
COPY of The proposition aforesaid, and request the Dc
Iega,e Of this county to bring the same to The notice o
The Legislature. I"py' ios'e'
The following is a copy of The 'eIler or proro-
sition referred TO in he foregoing order, on le in
the office OF The County Court oil Westmoreland,
10 wit:
RicHaoHD, March 4, 1893.
The County Court Of the County Of Westmoreld nd
Gentlemen The Joint Library COMMITTEES ot the
General Assembly having been informed by william Z.
Sturnan ESQ., delegate from your county, that lhere
IL nuyy In yonr possesslon Portrait Of Lord Chatham
which, from The want of suitable apartment In when
place II for preservation Ia liable 10 lie injured anu
defaced and which you might therefore he wiiina 10
conie 10 their custody for the ornament q! the uOIc
library OF the State have instructed Us TO inform you
that will most readily receive II Tor the purpose
II shall be your pleasure to give 1t such direction.
The VoIaries Of Freedom here, and elsewhere
throughout the United States cannot hut reverence The
memory Of that distinguished advocate OF the rights
and liberties OF the then colonies Of our country; ahu
Virgnans part cularly, will delight to see MS fof!a
in the capital.
With these sentiments we beg leave to assure you,
that ii YOU will forward the Portrait TO our Librarian,
we will gladly receive il for safe Keeping, and hoo u
subject to your future order
We are gentlemen, with great respect
BENZ. w 5. CAGELL,
Chairman Committee OF the Senate.