The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-02-13
From the Personal Recollections of thel ate
Elkanah Watson.]
SCENE AT THE BRITISH COURT
ON THE RECOGNITION OF THE
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE,

Soon after my arrival in England
having received at the Insurance Office
one hundred guineas, on the event of re
lieving Gibralter, and dining the same
: day with Copeley, the distinguished
painter, who is Bostonian by birth, ]
determined to devote the sum to a por
trait of myself The painting was finish.
ed in most admirable style, except the
background, in which Copeley designed
to represent ship bearing to America
the intelligence of the. acknowledgment
of the Independence, with sun just ris-
ing upon the stripes of the Union, stream
ing from her gaf. All was complete, save
the flag, which Copeley did not esteem
prudent to hoist under present circum-
stances, as his gallery is constant re.
sort of the royal family and the nobility.
I dined with the artist on the glori-
Gus fifth of December, 1882, after list
ening with him to the speech of the
King, formally receiving and recogniz-
ing the United States of America as one
of the nations of the earth. Previous to
dining, and Immediately after our return
from the House of Lords, he invited me
into his studio, and there with bold
hand-a master touch-and an Ameri-
can heart, attached to the ship the stars
and stripes. This was, imagine, the
first American flag hoisted in old Eng
land, on canvass
At an early hour on the fifth of De-
cember, 1882, in conformity with previ-
Gus arrangement, I was conducted by
the Earl of Ferrers to the very door.
He whispered, Get as near the throne
as you can; fear nothing" I did so,
and found myself exactly in front Of it,
elbow to elbow with the celebrated Ad-
miral Lord Howe: The lords were pro-
miscuously sanding as I entered. 1t
was dark and foggy day, and the win
dows being elevated, and constructed in
the antiquated style, with leaden bars
to contain the diamond cut panes of glass
augmented the gloom. The walls were
hung with dark tapestry representing
the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
had the pleasure of recognizing in the
crowd of spectators, Copeley, and West
the painter, with some American ladies.
1 also noticed some detected American
loyalists in the group. After waiting
nearly two honrs, the approach of the
king was announced by tremendous
roar of artillery. He entered by small
door on the left of the throne, and i'm
mediately seated himself upon the
chair of state, in graceful attitude,
with his right foot resting upon stool.
He was clothed in royal robes. Appar-
emily agitated, he drew from his pocket
the scroll containing his speech. The
Commons were summoned, and after the
hustle of their entrance had subsidized he
proceeded to read his speech.
I was near the king, and watched,
with intense interest, every tone of his
voice and every emotion of his counte-
nance. It was moment of thrilling
and dignifed exultation. After some
general and usual remarks, he continu-
ed I lost no time in giving the nee
essary orders to prohibit tho further
prosecution of offensive war upon the
continent of North America Adopting
as my inclination will always lead me
to do, with decision and effect, what.
ever collect to be the sense ofmy par
lament, and my people, I have pointed |
all my views and measures in Europe as
in North America, to the entire and |
cordial reconciliation with the Colonies.
Finding it indispensable to the attain
ment of this object, I did not hesitate
to the full length of the powers vested
in me, and offer to declair them Here
be paused, and was in evident agitation,
either embarrassed in reading his ad
dress by the darkness of the room, or
affected by very natural emotion. In
d moment he resumed; And offer to
declare them free and independent
States. In thus admitting their separa-
lion from the crown of these Kingdoms,
I have sacrificed every consideration Of
my own to the wishes and opinions of my
people. I make it my humble and ar
lent prayer to Almighty God that
Great Britain may not feel the evils
which result from SO great dismember-
nent of the empire, and that America
nay be free from the calamities which
lave formerly proved, in the mother
how essential monarchy is to
he enjoyment of constitutional liberty.
Religion, language, interest, and affec-
ion may, and I hope viii yet prove
,ond of permanent union between the
NO countries" Il
It Is remarked that George the III
for reading his speeches in q
distinct, free, and impressive manner.
IN this occasion he was evidently en-
he hesitated, choked, and
xecuted the painful duties of tho occa-
ion with an i'll grace that does not be-
ong to him. I cannot adequately por-
ray my sensations in the progress of
his address. Every artery beat high
Nth my American blood! It was i'm