New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-21
Ca,liu,s Indian Portraits, scenes, SC.


IL he Senate Of tie United States g. lsl M lie
the i0lOw!Ig Report.
The Select Committee, 10 whom was re-
ferred resolution If the Senae. directing them - In
quire into the eypedency Of purchasing Mr. George
Cens collection OF indian scenes and portraits sub
init the following Report That George Catlin is an
American citizen who was born sns educred IN tae
State Of Pennsy lvania ged with genius for the arts
imbued with spirit VI entnu asttc devotion TO th3
fame of his country in early life with )ut either pubi,
private PATRONAGE he repaired to the hauns OF the
savages IN the Of the continent and winning
the kir cness and confidence, while yet the whte
was almost unknown 70 them, he visited In a Pc
Rod of eight years forty egut tribes aud In the end
brought away this very large collection OF paintings
which exhibits with great felicity complete Views Of the
interesting Of the forest and prsrs scenes Of the
continent with portraits the various characters found
there, and ample Illustrations OF the political, social
and gous customs ceremonies, and costumes Of tae
races a collection which graties enlightened curl
osity and will With the progress OF time acquire
inestnabe viue aid 70 The philosopher aud the
historian in the study Of human nature in peculac
stage of development never before sufficiently trkad
Hayipg completed his collection, Mr.. Catin, in 1884,
exhibited in this city and, In pursuance OF his org
nal purpose offered tt0 the Government. 4 commit
ter reported ayoraby that proposition bu. delays
occurred and Mr.. Cattle, without abandoning his WISH
for such an eventual disposition of his collection took
them to Europe, we'll n support himself by exhibit
ing it TO use t IN preparing great work. since com
plerd, on the history, customs and manners OF the
EOnh American Indians.
The collection excited much interest and admiration
respect and consideration from the friends of
and the ants in foreign While It remained at
Paris, the American artists then residing th 5re and
among whom were several whose fame has become
part OF national glory, addressed memorial 10
Congress praying them 10 adopt measures 10 restore
the collection TO country, and n place IL among her
records In support OF this proposition, they remarked
that the collection not only interesting tJ
couhtIyInen generally, but absolutely necessary to
American artists that the Italian who wished 10 p0r.
tray the history of Rome found remnants of her in
the Vatican that the French artist could study the
cient Gauls in the museum of the Louvre; tba. the
Tower Of London was rich in the arm)r and weapon s
OF the Saxon lace; and that, without such collection,
few Of the glorious pages OF cur early history could De
Illustrated.
The same view of the subject was taken by the Joint
Committee on the Lib: airy 81 Congress, 70 whom tina.
interesting memorial was referred More recently a
communication has been submitted TO Congress by
era eminent members of the Historical Society OF New.
York, recommending the purchase OF the collection
substantially the same grounds.
The Select Committee concur 10 these opinions, and
they respectfully add that admitting the merit OF th3
collection which is concusively established by docd-
uents now before the Senate, and admitting also tns
ability of the Government 10 secure 1t, which cannot
reasonably be denied, no argument can be brought
against the purchase of il Just and reasonable terms
which would not equally weigh against every spproOri
alton by Congress for the acquisition and preservation
of the materials of science and OF history agqns. the
deposit Of cotemp)raneous works in the Library OF
Congress; the ilusir atom of grand aud interesting
events In the national progress and in mar
ble which grace the chambers walls and gardens OF tae
Capitol and indeed against all the treasures OF science
and already gathered into the archives OF the coun'
try COpiOusness Is essential 20 the value othe instrGc.
lions OF history and II should attempt 10 dtscrin
nate between the various materials gathered for such
use surely the last that this great ana generous people
should exclude would be those that support our scany
information concerning the grea, and heroic yet simple
races whom with strong arm and little tenderness We
expelinR and, perhaps unavoids0iy eX,erm'naung
throughout the broad domain OF which they once we're
a raj fFna
cultivation aud perfection of the altogether would
be 70 concede that in all that makes differ from the
savage tribes neither better wiser than they
In al! countries and especially Ia Republic, the great
responsibility of those who charged with the con-
duct the affairs OF society is the education Of the poo
pie In valor wisdom and virtue There Is no point a.
which sCch education can be wssl arrested since the
more complete and universal education becomes, the
more fully the democratic principle Is developed and
the more safely and easily Is free government su'
tanned.
While the responsibilities of educstion, 10 a strict
sense stupon the several states, the right and duty
OF the United States 10 promote that great object incl
deDtay IN the administration 81 the national domain,
and in It's exclusive legislation Il the District of Co'um
ba, have been fully acknowledged and practically
cised and performed since the foundation Of the Gov
srnment The Committee invoke the performance Of
similar duty now. Why should not tue capital of the
United states take on the classic dignity and the refine
worthy OF the seat of Govern msnt Of great peo
pe' How shall we better strengthen the bonds of union
than BY rendering the capital object Of pride and n
terest 10 the people of every state How shall We I'm
press mankind with the excellence of the Republican
system more easily and more efectuay than by ex-
hbiung 70 them the archives Of art and science Ia the
classic seat OF republican suthorty
The Committee submit with this report letter re-
Gently received from Mr. Calm, which brings the pain
fu intelligence that be has sunk under the pressure Of
debts ar is now Imprisoned while his collection is adj
yertsed to be sold execution In London Under
these circumstances he reduced his price - the Gov
eminent from $4,000 It's former estimated worth 20
tnefe unbaDDV Csr
10 suinctnt ground for interposia by tae ,vsrn.
ment ior his relief they may nevertheless bs aO we'd
70 sunulNe US 10 the action recommended, II, h4s
been argued, It is wise and proper in it.elf
tn 90 nous that, without careful inspection Of toe
7!oh, so as 70 ascertain its present condition and
rauS, X would De un~se TO name a definite pdce The
.nerelore reco mmesd ha, TIL SUI -ct be en-
with limited discretion
ICE COMMITTEE respectfully bee leave % satul.a int
Teso!'u'n IL eon'or nifty With this resa,t