Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-02-13

From the - Personal Recolleotion' Of the late
Elkanah Watson.
Scene at the British Court on the Reoogni-
ticn Of the American independence.
Soon after MY arrival in England, having
received at the Insurance Office, one hundred
guineas, ON the event Of relieving Gibralter,
and dining the same day with Copeley, the
distinguished painter, who is q Bostouian by
birth, | determined to devote the sum to
portrait of myself. The painting was finish
Ell in a most admirable style, except the
background, in which Copeley designed to
re resent . ship bearing to America the intel
Hgence of the acknowledgment of the Inde-
pendence, with a sun just rising upon the
stripes of the Union. streaming from her
gaf. All was complete, save the flag, which
Copelcy did not esteem prudent TO hoist under
present circumstances, as his gallery is Il con-
stant resort of the royal family and the nobility.
[ dined with the artist on the glorious 9Th
OF December, 1892, after listening with him
to the speech Of the King, formally receiving
and recognizing the United States of Amer
lea as one of the nations Of the earth Pre-
vious 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 American
heart, attached to the ship the stars and
stripes. This vas, [ imagine, the first Amer
Scan flag hoisted IN old England, on canvas!
At an early hour on the fifth of December
1872, In conformity with previous arrange
ment, I was conducted by the Earl of Ferrcrs
to the very door. He whispered, ''Get as
near the throne as you can; fear nothing"
l did so, and found myself exactly in front of
it, elbow TO elbow with the celebrated Adm-
raj Lord Howe. The lords were promiscu-
Ously standing ss [ entered. It was dark
and foggy day, and the windows being eleya-
TED, and constructed in the antiquated style,
with ieaden bars to contain the diamond cut
panes of glass. augmented the gloom. The
walls we're hung with dark tapestry, repre-
santinz the defeat Of the Spanish Amanda.
[ had the pleasure of recognizing in the crowd
II SPECTATORS, Copeley, and West the painter,
Yi5a some American ladies. | also noticed
some detected American loyalists in the group
After waiting nearly two hours, the approach
OF the king was announced by tremendous
roar of artillery. He entered by small
door on the left of the throne. and immedi-
ateIy seated himself upon the chair of state,
In a graceful attitude, with his right foot
upon a stool He was clothed in royal robes.
Apparently agitated he drew from his pocket
the scroll containing his speech. The Com
mons were summoned, and after the hustle of
their entrance had subsidized he proceeded to
read his speech.
1 was near the king, and watched with
intense iaterest, every tone of his voice and
every emotion of his cOuntenauce 1t was a
moment of thrilling and digniied exultation.
After some general and usual remarks, he
continued. 50 lost no time in giving the
necessary orders to prohibit the further pros
ecution of offensive war upon the continent of
North America. Adopting, as my inclination
will always lead me to do, with decision and
effect, whatever l collect to be the sense Of
my parliament, and my people l 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 10 the attainment Of this object,
I 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 effec-
ted by a very natural emotion. In a moment
he resumed And offer to declare the N free
and independent States.-In thus admitting
their separation from the crown of these king
doms, 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 result from so
great ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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 en-
joyment of constitutional liberty Religion,
language, interest, and affection may, and [
nope will yet prove bond of permanent |
unIon between the two countries"
1t Is remarked that George III is celebra- /
geo Tor reading his speeches in a distant, free I
and impressive manner On this occasion he /
was evidently embarrassed; he hesitated. I
choked, and executed the painful duties Of
the occasion with an i'll grace that docs not .
belong to him. l 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, aud not to
review in my mind's eye. the misery and woe
I had myself witnessed in several stages of
the contest, and the wide spread desolation
resulting from the stubbornness of this very
king, now so PROSTATE, but who had turned
deaf ear to cur humble and importunate pc
titions for relief Leaving the House, jos
tied Copeley and West, who, / thought, were
enjoying the rich political repast of the day |
and noticing the anguish and despair depicted
IN the long Visages of our American Tories.