Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-25
F,om the Richmond Enquirer Of "wednesday.

Virginia Washington Monument.
Yesterday morning the colossal bronze statue
Of Thomas Jefferson was elevated 10 its tempo
rary pedestal on the lower pediment of the Capt.
toll steps and when the covering was removed, all
present were delighted with its majestic beauty.
II is in beautiful and perfect constrast with
Henry. The latter is all action-the Jefferson is
calm and grand repose. The one represents the
fire and impetuosity of the imprisoned orator
the other, the deep thought and majestic COM
posture Of the MISUNDERSTANDING Both statues
are great triumphs of genius, and, for true ex-
preston, grandeur, fidelity to life, and artistic
and perfect execution in the mnutest details,
cannot be surpassed Henry and Jefferson stand
like the guardian gen of Virginia's Capitol
They are both greatly and universally admired
for their respective merits, and their erection will
form an era in the history of our State and coun-
try. They have already produced great sensa-
ton among the art-critics Of Europe. There the
statue of Jefferson has been justly ranked with
Michael Angeles wonderful statue, emblematic
Of thought
The statue of Jefferson is taller than that Of
Henry 1t represents the Sage of Monticello
wrapped in the ample folds Of cloak gracefully
falling around him, with the head slightly bent
as if in deep fixed thought. In his left hand
folded across his breasD he holds scroll in
scribed "1776 /" Qhe Declaration of Indepen-
dence.) In his right hand, which lies a little be-
low his chin, he grasps pen. Jefferson is per-
sonated as meditating on the preparation Of that
Immortal document at which time he was thirty
three years and three months Of age. From
fuckers Life of Jefferson, we extract notice
Of this great act in the drama Of his life:
From the time of the battle of Lexington, in
April, ITS, the public mind throughout Ameri-
ca had been preparingfor separation and, in
Virginia, the course pursued by Lord Dunmore.
had for some time kept the people in state of
feverish agitation which, provoked without in
timdatng, and by a succession Of indecisve
skirmishes, familiarzed their confidence in their
own courage and military resources.
The Convention met tor the fifth and the last
time in Williamsburg on the 9th of May, and on
the 18th of May, l776, it took the bold and de-
cisve step of instructing their delegates in Con-
gress to propose to that body to declare the colo
mics Independent of Great Britan and the Con-
vention itelf Immediately set about a declaration
Of rights, and new Constitution for Virginia.
In obedience to these Instructions on Friday, the
It'll of June, Richard Henry Lee, by the request
of his colleagues, moved that the Congress should
declare, g that these United Colonies are, and Of
" right ought to be, free and Independent States;
:" that they absoved from all allegiance to
!" the British crown and that all political con-
" necton between them and the State of Great
" Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved !;
g that measures should Immediately be taken for
g procuring the assistance of foreign powers, and
g a confederation be formed to bind the Colonies
g more closely together"
I The consideration of the subject being post
poned to the next day, it was then taken up, and
debated on that day, Saturday, and the follow
ing Monday, by Messrs. ]. Adams, Richard H.
Lee, Wythe, and some others, in favor of the
proposition and by Messrs. Wilson, Robert r.
Livingston, Edward Rutledge, Dickinson, aud
others, against it /; whose objections, however,
went rather to the Time than to the measure itself
AS six of the colonies, to wit New York. New
Jersey Pennsylvania, Delaware, MARYLAND and
South Carolina, were not yet prepared for this
bold step, it thought prudent to delay
decision for short time, the LIST of July
but, meanwhile, to prevent unnecessary delay,
committee appointed to prepare, by way of
manifesto, Declaration Of Independence. 81
The committee consisted of Thomas jefferson,
John Adams of Massachusetts,, Dr. Franklin of
Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman Of Connecticut,
and Robert r. Livingston of New York. The
committee being, us usual, appointed by ballot,
and Mr.. Jefferson having received the highest
number of votes, was selected by the other mem
bers to make the draught. He accordingly under
took it; and thus became the author Of the most
memorable public document which history re-
cords-one with which his name has become SO
intimately associated, that It would alone be
sufficient to keep that name fresh in the recoiec-
tons of his countrymen to the latest posterity.
Before the original draught was submitted to
the whole committee, il was shown, by its author,
to DR.. Franklin and MIR. Adams, both of whom
contented themselves with two or three verbal
alterations.
Accompanying the statues of Henry and Jeffer-
son. two massive and beautiful bronze shields have
arrived, representing the two sides Of the Great
Seal of Virginia. The following description of
the Great Seal we copy from the Journal of the
proceedings of the Virginia Convention Of July
9Th, 1776:
Mr.. George Mason, from the committee APP
pointed TO devise proper seal for this Common
wealth, reported, that the committee had accord
ingly prepared the following device thereof;
which he read in his place. and afterwards deliver
ed in at the clerks table, where the same was
again twice read, and agreed to.
TO BE ENGRAVED ON THE GREAT SEAL.
yIRTUS, the genius Of the Commonwealth,
dressed like an .9mazon, resting a spear with
one hand, and holding sword in the other, and
treading on TYRANNY, represented by man
PROSTATE, a crown fallen from his head, a broken
chain in his left hand, and scourge in his right
In the exergon, the word VIRGINIA over the
head Of Vmrus; and underneath the words Sic
semper iyrdnnis
On the reverse a groupe:
LIBERTAS, with her wand and piieus
On one side Of her, CERES, with the cornu-
copia in one hand, and an ear Of wheat in the
other.
On the other side, ETERNlTAS, with the
globe and phnnix.
In the exergon, these words:
DEUS NoBIs HEc oTIA rEcrT.
Resolved, That George Wythe, and John Page,
Esquires, be desired TO superintend the engraving
the said seal, and to take care that the same be
properly executed.
by Legislative act Of 1919, il was ordered
that the word HPERsEyERANDo" be inserted in
the reverse Of the seal.
In modelling the bronze shields, Mr.. Crawford,
while preserving all the elements of the original,
has given them an exquisite beauty and grace of
arrangement. The figure Of the Genius Of the
Commonwealth, with Phrygian cap and laurel
wreath the head and star shining on the brow,
pointing down 10 the PROSTATE and writhing form
of Tyranny, is classic and lovely personation.
owe doubt whether Rachel could present more
classic or graceful pose) On the reverse shield,
the yelled form of Eternity holding burning