Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-04
THE FINE EARTS-EDWARD VALENTINE
WILLIAM tiElNE.

Anxious as We have always been to encourage
and foster the spread at the civiliz!ng and humanz-
ing influence of the Fine Arts through our republi-
can contederscy we hail Sh satisfaction the dawn.
ing of American genius in every part of the contede-
racy 1t gives us increased pleasure TO observe and
10 chronicle the evidences Of such genius on the ma
tive soil Of Virginia. With this patriotic aprit, we
have especial qualification in referring to the fret
successful efforts in modelling, OF our young friend
and fellow .townsman, Edward V. Valentine. Al.
though lust nineteen years of ago. he has already &C
compli.h.d the difficult task of executing in plaster
admirable uortrait.busts Of some Of our promi-
nen citizens Those of the Mayor of the city and OF
Samuel Mordsca E-q., venerable citizen OF hlcn'
moud. were exhibited 81 the Fair ot the Mechanics
Institute and were received with marked approba-
,:np. But, since that period, he has achieved his
,.-ec..st triumph in modelling the bust Of Governor
Wis. which he has just completed. 1t is most &C
curats por;rai. bus: and faithfully represents the
s,;r, and .1pression of The Governors remarkably
srikinp face. heed aud neck This bust of itself in.
dica.e. genius which should be carefully nuEtureo
and gradually brought to maturity We are glad 10
know that the youthful! and modest aftss regularly
follows the course of anatomical lectures at the Medl'
cal College Let him first ground himself in the ru'
dimeu,s of the art and then spend few years in the
schools of Europe 20 gain instructions and lnsPlra
ton from the ancient end moiern masters OF aculp'
ture-snd we predict for him future OF success and
r.noyp. that will place him among the first Anerl.
can artists.
While upon this subject Of the Arts, we have
word TO say in behalf of valued friend who has al.
b.d artists
of ;bs country. He has done his work faithfully and
wel-but he has not yet received the reward mat
ius,ly due TO him. We al!ude to William Heine, the
painter, who accompanied the Japan Expedition IN
the capacity Of Acting Masters Mate, but was e1
clusivey employed as the principal artist lie also
made nearly all the geological collections and In
structed some of the officers and men of the squad
ron in drawing, thereby enabling them afterwards
10 act as assistant draughlsmen. For these import
ant services Mr.. H. received no compensation beyond
III. nominal pay OF $500 per annum, as acting mas
ters mate.
On the return of the squadron nil the sketches and
collections, made by Mr.. H., were claimed by the
Navv Department and therefore delivered into The
hands of Commodore Perry, TO be Incorporated into
,be official report of the expedition. Mr.. H. was re-
oue.ted by Com Perry to prepare all these materials
bu, as Congress, had made no especial appropriation
to pay for such work, Com Perry represented 1t TO De
out of his power TO pay at that time anything be-
youd the nominal pay of draughtsman, three dol
lars day, for which he authorized to draw from
the ordinary funds.
Com. p. promised. should Mr. II. be willing to un-
dertake the work, that at the meeting OF Congress
nroper steps should be taken TO secure suitable COM
,.nsa,ion for services rendered by MIR. ii. More
oyer il was represented that it was of great lmpor-
,apce 70 have the work done with the utmost des'
Match tina, mis- pay should continue until the report
was published in full, aud that Com. T. wished Mr.
II. to illustrate a private edition OF ms report lot
which he should be literally paid. Urged IN thi'
manner and trusting in those PROMISES hr' H. oy
applying himself with tile utmost ardor 10 MS 'ash
and working many hours beyond the stipulated once
hours, finished his drawings, many hundred IN nu"
ber, 10 little more than year.
Unfortunately, as soon "a the work was done, Com
P seemed to forge, his promises. On the meeting o.
Congress no steps were taken in behalf OF Mr. H.
"a be was aware-and on the 3:h July, 1870, MS pay
WAS stopped-slthough, even after that time ME set
yices were often required to superntend the engra
wing and furnish the necessary notes tor the Naura
ui,tory. For the illustration of Com. Perry's pr
yste edition, Mr.. II. began 10 workout had hardlJ
done 60 when he was notified that his services "oue
no, bs required, as tho publishers had in some man
n.r beet known 70 themselves, obtained possessiono
the government engravings
After he was discharged, Mr. Il. pe'itoned Con
gre.s in July, 1885, for compensation, and bill for h
r.,.f pass.d the L. S. Senate in 1857, a few day
hf,re the close Of the session, and remained, no
acted on on tie Speaker. cable in the House of Re
representatives..
Dr.. James Morrow OF Charleston, the Agricul:u
ris OF the Expedition peti,ioned ct somewhat es'
I-r period than Mr.. H. dld end in 1857 bill, for h
relie passed both Houses, giving him sl'ooo per an