The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-20
The Portrait of Roger Williams.

''In letter which we have recently received from
the proprietor of the portrait Of Roger Williams
an account OF which was given in the Journal some
time since, and which is held to be the only genu-
inc original portrait Of our great founder-he in
forms rs that in compliance with desire repeat
edly expressed, he WILL before long, allow the pic
ture to be exhibited in Providence for the gratif-
cation of the curious and especially for the nspec
ton of those who, without having seen it, have
doubted or denied its genuineness."
Providence Journal March IS.
The Cambridge Chronicle gives an amusing an
ecdote which it thinks may throw some light on the
original of the portrait in question II that
some six or seven years ago, antiquarian gentle
man of Boston, visit to the Providence Athe-
neum, saw there engraved picture said to be
that of Roger Williams, and SO lettered. Gentlemen
there considered themselves fortunate in having Sc
cured it. II was said to have been engraved from
the original portrait then in New York, having been
discovered in that city not long before. The gentle
man alluded to afterwards ascertaned the address
of the proprietor Of this relic, and during visit to
New York called upon him. He (the owner Of the
portrai) spoke of his picture as having been pur-
chased by him at auction in company with another,
both in bad condition. On cleansing them he dis
covered one to be original portrait of Oliver
Cromwell, and the other that of Roger Williams.
He expressed Willingness to show his picture,
and appointment for that purpose was made,
but for some It not kept. This same for
tunate possessor of the Roger Williams portrait was
about that time, publishing Welsh periodical, in
one number Of which he had notice Of Roger Viii
liams. In this number he inserted picture of the
patriarch of Providence, said 10 be engraved from
this portrait. II was one Of these that Provi-
dence friends considered themselves so fortunate in
obtaining. The proprietor also presented copy 10
antiquarian friend at the time of this visit al
led 10 To inn he mic had al
look; indeed, II seemed like an old familiar face.
And no wonder, for on reference to Watson's an
mails Of PHILADELPHIA Of 1880, the self same head APP
peared there a portrait OF Benjamin Frank
lin. From this circumstance, he very natural.
ly conjectured that the old plate had been raked
up by some one, and the name Of Roger
Williams engraved upon II, and copies of il
palmed of as a picture Of Roger Williams, from
an original portrait. The cheat was so far sue
cessful, that at the time Mr.. Sparks was prepar-
ing for the press his fourth volume Of the second
series Of American Biography, which contains the
admirable sketch Of the life of Roger williams by
Professor Gammel, he heard Of this picture ofwil-
liams at Providence, and had one prepared from It
for this volume. II inserted in some of the
early copies, but has now been rejected
Now for the second step in the historical trans.
formation Of Ben Franklin's portrait into that Of
tisfs, new series, published in New York in ls49,
there Is quite ambitious looking and very well
engraved picture Of Roger williams," from this
same original portrait. The engraving is highly
cmbcllished, and makes a fine looking picture.
We gather from note the same old story: that it
lie can accurate copy Of painting recently discov
cred, which came 10 this country, and was sold at
auction in New York with other paintings and
books from the library Of the Duke Of York !" &C.
&c. That IL was purchased by a jealous antigua
Ran, n native Of Wales, in company with another
picture, which proved TO be portrait Of Cromwell
That il was without doubt made when williams
went to England in 1914, at the age Of forty four
| The following are some Of the embellishments in
the picture, said to be accurately copied from the
painting: Ellis right rests upon his Key TO the
Indian Language" underneath which is edible {"
Underneath this Bible, and rolling off from the Ia
bic, is the charter. Of which several lines can be
distinctly read. In his left hand he holds the
Bloody Tenet" In the back. ground is seen a
work inscribed Cooke upon Lttlcton," which Coca
10 decide the controverted question Of his having
been educated by Sir Edward Coke. Also, lying
before him are letters addressed 10 Robert VIII.
liams and the committee Of Providence Planta.
TONS" and MARY williams" which are in the
painting in MS own HASpwarTIse." Now, this /.
doing the thing up handsomely, 30 far as the en-
beEishmens go. We do like 10 see a thing done
well, even 10 The hanging Of man, IL II is to be
done at all. II was good idea 10 introduce Cooke
upon Littleon," az il settles "controverted ques-
tons" And the Bloody Tenet, !" and the charter,
and the letters IN has oson hand,oritng, &C. &c. all
come admirably in play 10 settle the genuineness
| Of the picture. The introduction Of all this para.
phernslis was not anerthought, Of course.
Il Oh, no. But, then, let us look at some of the
other psrts OF the picture. We have here the
representation Of courtly, dignifed parsonage,
| with well adjusted wig, white neck.oloth, a
single breasted coat, &C, &c.--the very picture,
indeed, Of well-drcssed gentleman Of the last cen.
fury; learned bsrriser Of the inns Of court, per.
bsps. And more than all, we have the same old
Benjamin Franklin face which appears in the other
| picture.
] This metsmorphosis is equal to any thing that