The daily union., 1852-04-09
In CONGRESS OF THE u. STATES.
Thirty second Congress--First session.
THURSDAY. APRIL s. 1852.
sEnATE.
AMERICAN HISTORICAL PAINTINGS.


AMERICAN HISTORICAL PAINTINGS.
Mr. COOPER Mr. President hold in my hand the
petition o Mr. LAutzs. who 10 an American artist and
the author OF the painting representing Washington cross
three or four weeks in the rondo OF the Capito and
which, presume. you and most oi the members OF this
body have seen and admired The application is ad-
dressed to Congress and the memorasf proposes 10 re-
peat with such emendations his subsequent experience
may suggest the admirable painting TO which have
ierea' together with companion 10 H. ine subject Of
tory which represents Washington raying rereatng
Ioops at the battle of Monmouth am sure need not
slate that subjects better calculated TO inspire the genius
Of the artist, TO awaken the patriotism Of the American
spectator. could scarcely have been selected Of the truth
OF this we have had evidence in the painting which the
memorialst proposes 10 repeat Who, sir, has looked
upon that admirable picture, and contemplated the
jesc form, the composed and infexibe determination
which beams from the counenance OF the heroic chef
working his perilOus way through the icy Delaware in
order to reach the enemy and strike decisive blow for
freedom then almost ready to expire but has felt his pa
triotsm stimulated and his blood flowing in ard
quicker currents through his veins-and especially on
learning that that elike stirring representation OF
OF the great acts in the drama of American history
the production Of American genius With the true tact
the great struggle for ndependencelhe very moment
when hope wasaernang with despair in the person OF the
successful would revive the dropping and fanng hearts
OF his almost desparng counlrymen. II critical
moment, and the very turning point in our history Il
fraught not only with the deepest interest those
humanity and the destines, perhaps, Of the world How
faithfully, how admirably the artist has caught the spirit
OF all this, and presented in the painting to which
have referred! M 81
The other subject which is proposed for his pencil is
one not less calculated TO result in fine, soul-srng
picture II is drawn from one OF the most interesting
portions OF our history You remember very well, Sir,
the circumstances and the condition OF things that made
SO interesting General Lee had been sent forward 10
bring on the action and keep the enemy employed until
Washington, with the main body Of the army, could
come up; but instead Of doing AT the approach Of the
indignant the dsobedence OF his subordinate for once
he lost the lofty habtua composure which had never
before forsaken him in the midst Of his triumphs, and
perhaps for the first time his life he treated the retreat
ing general with hardness for turning his troops and
asking him if he could not fight. took command himself
and led them on to The charge Sir that also had an i'm
porlant result upon The contest which then
gagged in with the mother country and presents ad
mirable subject for the artist.
Since this memorial was put in my hands, another
artist not less distinguished Than Mr. Leutze but who
has occupied himself in somewhat different field of the
arts has made application to be included in the petition
TO Congress Tor painting for the government or two
historical pictures He proposes subjects for his
Gil the throwing overheard OF the in the habor OF
Boston and the battle OF Bunker Hill need not state,
sir that the throwing overheard Of the tea the
OF our revolution and the first great battle was the battle
OF Bunker Hill. Such an artist Mr.. Healy streat.
ing this subject, and inspired an American and
patriot he would be inspired with the greatness OF the
dea-could hardly help producing something worthy,
both OF himself and bis country.
In other countries this art is encouraged not only be-
cause Oi ehnIR upon Tue people, Dut De-
OF the aid which lends to commerce You know
very WELL sir. that this ari is made auxiliary 10 the fine
manufactures and fabrics that produced in France and
other southern countries OF Europe Schools OF painting
and design there established and are nsed not only
TO promote taste for the 6ne arts but the beautiful pat
terms that are used ~ the manufacture Of brocadrs and
silks, and laces All these derived from artists edu
Gated by the berali'y Of government TO great degree.
and in these schools Of design Hitherto have been
dependent altogether for designs oil this kind for these
fabrics which are used by those made In Europe.
hope. therefore, that this government will lend its ali
to the encouragement Of this art and nothing sr that
shall be done 10 adorn the Capitol. especially when
tends 10 encourage American TALENT will be dsowned by
the American people. ! know II wel-l do not live,
perhaps. in community in which The fine arts re.
garded with more pleasure than they where other
senators reside. Perhaps in my State they in
cned TO the useful and the practical than the constituents
Of most oil The members OF this body yet sir am sure
that they would disown berality extended in this
direction.
Sir, in this country private fortunes TO a
men. in my Judgment onxh, therefore on an APPROPRIATE
OCCASION to step forward and lend its and
its aid We have orr example in this District where the
ample means of private individual have been directed
so as TO give encouragement 10 the arts and my judg
ment that constitutes of the nobest claims man
can have upon the gratitude and the respect OF the CON-
munily in which he lives hope that others may fol-
low his example, and contribute to make this country,
in the production OF the fine arts. what she is rapidly
now becoming in the various departments of the useful
ars-,he rival oil all other countries. Sir, when The
proper lime arrives, will offer resolution OF inquiry
upon this subject 10 be referred to the Committee the
Library and move mat The memorial which now pre-
sent may take the same direction.
The petition was so referred
FROM REPRESENTATIVES.
message received from the House OF Representa-
lives By Mr. Forney, their Clerk, announcing to the Sem
ate that the Speaker Of the House had signed enrolled
BILL and that he had brought to the Senate for the sig
nature OF its President
The President OF the Senate then signed the bill Just
brought from the House OF sentaves-beng bill
for the relief OF Theodore OHuu; and il delivered TO
the committee TO be presented to the President OF the
United States.
MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr. FISH presented the petition Of Elizabeth Marsh
only child OF Lieutenant Jonathan Melcalf, OF the army
oil the revolution praying Tor the allowance OF hal-pay
under the act o August ~, l7s0 which referred
to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.
Mr.. DAWSON presented the memorial of John ID. |
Se in behalf OF the widow and children OF his brother
Thomas j. Stel deceased praying remuneration for
losses which he sustained during the Creek 1895
which was referred TO the Committee Indian Az |
fairs M ttU
Mr.. MORTON presented the memorial OF Joseph M. |
Hernandez, In behalf OF the claimants 10 indemnity
der the 9th article OF the treaty with Spain OF February
Supreme Court Of the United States, to make such
provision for the settlement OF their claims shall be
required by honor justice, and The principles OF equity
which referred to the Committee the Judiciary
EXECUTIVE coSlMusrckrios.
The PRESl DENT pro iem laid before the Senate a /
report OF the Secretary of War, in resolution
of the Senate calling for information in relation 10
tracts made with officers oil the army-to furnish supplies
10 the government which read, ordered 10 be
ferred TO the Committee the Judiciary and printed for
he use oil the Senate.