Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-09-23
MISCELLAN EOUS.
To the Editors ofhe National inteiAgsneer:

In, conversation which held few days ago with Mr..
Cushing he Attorney GENERALLY he called my attention 70
The Portrait OF General Washington which hangs IN the
Departmen, Of Stale The question who painted hi
Understanding that Mr.. Whiltlescy (he accomplished
Comptroller OF the was able TO give some n,o.
the correspondence which now enclose to you Tor pnoilch
ton il you should deem worthy Of the will occn
py in National lnielIgencer presume Mr. Gales VIII
recolect The interview TO which Mr.. Young refers.
never General Washington und am unable OF course
to appreciate the accuracy Of The likeness But II seems to
be sufficiently acsed by the gentlemen whose names are
mentioned by MIR. Young.
1t is a matter of some consequence TO know what copy
will be adopted by Mr. Clark Mills The most perfect
sen,ation this lustrious the pride of his country
and his age and the Of human nature Itself.
presume however that Houdons statue in the capitol al
Richmond will form ut the bronze equestrian sta
tue Whoever wishes the which was taken 10
obtain The best likeness and The most appropriate costume
for the American hero will find oil the documents connected
with the 10 Hckeys excellent volume on The Cohstl
tuition Of the United States
Permit me TO say that should not have attached my
name 10 this communication if it had not oeen embraced 10
the correspondence between Messrs Whesey and Young
Respectfully, THOMAS RICHIE.
Treasury DEPARTMENT, CoMprRoLLER's OFFICE.
SEPTEMBER H. 1853.
DEAN Sra: transmit you copy ot my letter 10 las.
Young, Esq., making inquiries in !espec. to The likeness Of
General Washington the Stale Department that pur-
chased Of him. and copy vi his answer
Most sincerely yours,
TmonAs RlrcHir, Esq.
WAsHisoTos SEPT H. 1853
DEAR Sin The history of likeness General Wash.
ngon in the Stale Department that was purchased OF
again subject investigation and Tor the information
of Thomas Ritcnle, Esq will thank you 10 state who
painted it, how came ino your possession; who recog-
nized be likeness; and how did knowledge
OF its existence reach The State Department? think have
heard you say there three painted by the
If 81, what became OF the others?
Elisha wHIrrL EsEY
JAxEr Youso. Esq.
WAsuISGTuS SEPTEMBER III, 1853
DEAa Sin: Your teller o this date il received which
you The history OF the likeness OF General Washington,
which 10 The Stale Department. being purchased oil
(me again the subject Of investigation and for the inor
of Thomas Richie, Esq you will thank
who painted II; how II came into my possession who recog-
pized be likeness and how did Knowledge
Of it's existence reach the State Department? You say
you think you have heard me say that there were three like
by the the time. so, you
ask what became OF the olersl
In order TO give consecutive history of this painting
must your second inquiry FIRST how il into
my possession? ioun! amongst articles Of fur
ni,ue left TO my wife by her father before he removed from
Baltimore 10 Ohio, which was some time between eighteen
hundred and Two and eighteen hundred and four under
stood by my wes statement that her father obtained the
Painting with other articles in part payment of debt
he had incurred security for French gentleman who
had been compelled break up housekeeping in Baltimore
about ur before !he year above mentioned
- your third nterogatoy you ask who recognized as
accurate likeness answer Thomas Law, Esq late OF
iris city, and grand nLw Of Mrs. General Washing
On entering my parlor one day where the picture
appended the wall opposite the entrance of the uom
he stopped short and with his eyes fixed the painting,
and without noticing thing any body else exclaimed
"Good God SIR or some such words, "where did you get
shs painting? have General Washington since
his 18th before looking it," He then say
Is scugh the LIKENESS taken by Stuart thought by
to be the best extant YET that pleased him.
s, time before The General Stuart he had had
artificial tooth inserted in front, which rather cumsiy
DONE and prouberance 70 his lip and which Stuart
carried into hs painting Shortly after this had vi
ats paid the painting by Judge Washington Judge Mar
shall, and several old members of Congress- who oil pro-
nounced the likeness to b. Among those whoae
ini0n. .iaIn M IN hko
Of the General The opinion Of Billy Coson
latto man. the Bank of Washington and who
raised from child in The Generals family and who con-
nrmed Mr. Law in his opinion as to The accuracy OF the
likeness While this matter noiscd about, several old
citizens who knew The General in his LIFETIME called to see
che painting Amongst these was MIR. Daniel Brent then
chief clerk The State Department. Ia this way pre-
know ledge the existence of the painting reached
shat Department. and is the only answer make 10 your
fourth enquiry.
Az to your frs, inquiry. tina, say. who painted IN
have only I" remark that about that time Mr. Rembrandt
Peae the younger vi the two artists Of Plad pha OF that
NAME called at house in company OF Mr. Joseph Gales,
OF this CITY, to the painting and who anised
IL az his work. said he could as could
his own handwns and then observed ia the presence
Mr. Gales tina, at the time Gen. Washington
Their in Philadelphia, shortly utter the Revolutionary war
the purpose of allowing The old man TO take his likeness he
then young artist and ambitious of excelng and tina
he made three copies OF likeness he took of the Genera
while old Mr. Pcuc work; that his Efforts
Cessfu and his licensees much admired, while his ther
be fanre that of these copies dis
posed of Mr.. Magruder of Baltimore and still pro-
badly that family another had been disposed Of for
Museum Library in Baltimore where he presumed
still be seen the other he had lost sight Of until tina
moment when he found in my house As these facts
merit and authorship Of the painting became known in
this way To the State Department while J. e. Adams
Secretary of State he Mr. Daniel Brent with
that would allow II to be brought TO the State Department
for inspection of those who might and who had been
with Grnccl Washington In his lifetime
view, presume, It's purchase for the Department,
State.
The picture accordingly and there remained
until after Mr. Adams became President uf the United
States and Mr. Clay Secretary o STATE when MIR. DAME
Brent again called on me 10 know il would sell il 10 the
State Department, and il go, ut what price7 told hin
that although would not sell II To any individual, ye
that If the State Department thought il OF sufficient value
have it. as would be safer and less liable injury loss
MIR. Brent that they might have their valuation
and that whatever that would satisfy me; according.
ly il was valued presume by authority Of Mr. Clay
two hundred aud fifty dollars, leil by him TO Mr.
Brent 10 value il, and for which received check and
gave my receipt You perceive, sir gone
into detail in answering nlerroguturics relative the
history OF this painting than might thought
your letter. but wisl, 10 preserve nv reco
lection of facts in the have lde record of them
and send you herein copy
Most sincerely and respectfully, yours
JAMES YOUNG.
To the Hon. ELISHA WHiTTLEsEv
--ssN---
MR. DICKINSON AND THE WASHINGTON UNION
The article which we publish To-day from The Richmond
(Va) Enqurer n the spirit OF Southern chivulry via
dicass, Mr. Dickinson from odium of free soiss which
Wa I1nnn afalV hiy