Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-01-17
Scene at the British Court on the re-
cognition of the American Indepen-

Scene at the Br1t1Sn court on the re-
cognition of the American Ind epen-
dence.
From the personal Recolleetons' Of the late lkanah
waisonl
Soon after my arrival in England, having
received at the Insurance office, one hundred
g%uineas, on the event Of relieving Gibralter,
and dining the same day with Copeley, the
distinguished painter, who is a BOstonian by
birth. ] determined to devote the sum 20 a
portrait of myself The painting was finished
in 4 most admirable style, except the back
ground, in which Copeley designed to repre-
sent a ship bearing to America the lnteill-
gence of the acknowledgment of the indie
~pendence, with a sun just rising upon the
stripes of the Union, streaming from her
gaff. All was complete, save the flag, which
Copeley did not esteem prudent to moist
under present circumstances, as his gallery Is
a constant resort of the royal family and the
nobility.
Idined with the artist on the glorious fifth
of December, 1885, after listening with him
to the speech of the King, formally receiving
and recognizing the United States OF Amer
ca as one of the nations of the earth. Pre-
vious to dinirg, and Immediately after our
return from the House of Lords, he invited
me into his studio, and there with a bold
hand-a master t~ouch--and an American
heart, attached to- the ship the stars and
stripes. This was, / imagine, the first Amer
lean flag hoisted in old England, on can
vasi
At an early hour on the fifth of December,
1892, in conformity with previous arrange
ment, | was conducted oy the Earl of Fer
rers to the very door. He whispered, Get
as near the throne as you can; fear nothing"
did so, and found myself exactly in front of
it elbow to elbow with the celebrated Admi-
raj Lord Howe. The Lords were promiscu-
ousIy standing as / entered. II was a dark
and foggy day, and the windows being eie-
waited, aud constructed in the Anticipated
style, with leaden bars to contain the dia-
mond.cut panes Of glass, augmented the
gloom. The walls were hung with dark Ia
pestry, representing the defeat of the Spanish
Armada. | had the pleasure of recognizing
in the crowd ofspectators, Copeley, and West
the painter, with some American ladies. l
also noticed som detected American loyalists
in the group. After waiting nearly two
hours, the approach of the King was announ-
ced by a tremendous roar of artillery. He
entered by a small door on the left of the
throne, and Immediately seated himself upon
the chair OF state, in a graceful attitude, with
his right foot resting upon a STOOL. lie was
clothed in royal robes. Apparently agitated,
he drew from his pocket the scroll contain
ing his speech. The Commons were sum-
moned, and after the blstle IF their entrance
had subsidized he proceeded to read his speech.
l was near the king, and watched, with i'll
tense interest, every tone of his voice and
every emotion of his countenanre. 1t was a
moment of thrilling and dignified exultation.
After some general and usual remarks, he
continued: al lost no time in giving the ne
cessary orders to prohibit the further prose-
cution of offensive war upon the continent of
North America. Adopting, as my inclina-
ton will always lead me to do, with decision
aud effect, whatever | collect to be the sense
of my parliament and my people, l have
pointed all my views and measures in Gu
rope, as in North America, TO the entire and
cordial reconciliation with the Colonies
Finding it indispensable to the attainment of
this object, | did not hesitate to go to the full
length of the powers vested in me, and offer
to declare them" Here he paused, and was
in evident agitation, either embarrassed in
reading his address by the darkness OF the
room, or effected by "a very natural emotion.
Ia u moment he resumed And offer 10
declare them free and independent States
In thus admitting their separation from the
crown of these kingdoms, / have sacrificed
every consideration of my own to the wishes
and opinions OF my people: ! make it my
humble and ardent prayer to Almighty God
that Great Britain may not feel the evils
which might result from so great a dismem-
berment of the Empire, and that America
may be free from the calamities which have
formerly proved, in the mother country, how
essential monarchy is to the enjoyment of
constitutional liberty Religion, language,
interest, and affection may, and I hope will,
yet prove a bond of permanent union between
the two eountries.u 49,
1t is remarked that George III. is celehra-
ted for reading his speeches in a distinct, free
and impressive manner. On this occasion he
was evidently embarrassed; he hesitated,
choked, and executed the painful duties OF
the o~ccaaion with an ill grace that does not
belongto him. | cannot adequately portray
my sensations in the progress of this address.
Every artery beat high with my American
blood! 1t was impossible not to revert to the
opposite shores Of the Atlantic, and not to re-
view, in my minds eve, the misery and woe
| had myself witnessed in several stages of
the contest, and the wide spread desolation,
resulting from the stubborpness of this very
king, now so PROSTATE, but who had turned a
deaf ear to our humble and importunate Pc
titions for relief. Leaving the House, / iost-
led Copeley and West, who, / thought, were
enjoy ing the rich political repast of the day,
and noticing the anguish and despair depict
ell in the long visages OF our American To-
rios