The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-03-08
LOCAL MATTERS.

habb of THE VIRGINIA HISTARICAL
socIEry.-We have heretofore invited attention 10
the portraits of many of Virginia's iIlustriou.
sons, and think We have said enough to arouse
the State pride of every yirgnian and to csuse ALI
10 take an active interest in the operations of this
society; but before taking our final leave OF the
subject, we cannot refrain from brief allusion e,
other distinguished personsges, suggested by me-
mentoes to be seen in the Hall.
In an ancient but beautifully wrought frame
are the tattered remains of what was once doubt.
1855 nne likeness of the venerable and gifted
RICHARD BLAND-a man whose political career
having commenced far back in The days of tbs
Colony, had accumulated upon his aged brow ths
wisdom OF long and honorable experience in the
counciisoi nls country. man whose genius aud
patriotism, whose great talent for statesnansbip
aud great moral worth, had he been Younger nr
the beginning OF the Revolution, would most GER
tainiy have placed him second only to Wasbington
IN the conduct OF affairs. But his venerable form
was totteriug under the weight of years when
the infant Republic was born, and he was sudden.
y stricken down by paralysis, but a few months
succeeding the Declaration of Independence -
Tue present dlapidated condition of this picture s
I Ut commentary on the shameful neglect with
which the virginia people regard such things IL
Is pierced with the bayouet holes of the British in
vaders, who in 81 sacked the family seat of the
Bland at Jordon's Point ON James River when Ar.
hoiu the Traitor was advancing to the destruction
bsHn EnR
aud repaired after the retreat of the enemy. we
should now have preserved the face of one of tn.
hthers OF the Republic, and perhaps the .'nohlest
Roman" OF them all. 1t may not be aniss to re
mark here, that the descendants Of this great man
IN numerous instances have illustrated their nobta
lineage, by exhibiting talents of no ordinarv de-
gree. The Randolphs' of Bizarre. and the Tpcker.
Of Williamsburg afford us but examples of sucb :
Near the tattered relic of Bland Is to be seen tIs
portrait of fine burly figure, with the mein and
gentleman n fla 10, a.. pt- !
face is oyershadowed by large wig according 10
Ehe fashion of the day, but 10 expressive of great
tljgni'y of mind and intel iectua refinement T,bis
is PEYToN RANDOLPH, son OF Sir John Randolph
lie was worthy scion Of an ancient stock whose
name and influence have never been absent fror,,
the councils Of the nation since the days of old
William Randolph OF Yorkshire, who came oyer to
the colony la the early part of the last century
The part borne by Peyton Randolph in the strug.
gle of the Colonies has justly placed him amopsst
the fathers Of the Republic. lie was the last
speaker OF the last House of Euraesses, under the
Colonial rule, and was chairman of the first Viz
ginia Convention that superseded the Kings re-
yre5entatiyes az Williamsburg. More than this
highly esteemed were his talents his patriot
ism, that upon the assembling OF the first Con-
gress he unanimously called to preside over
its anxious deliberations, at a time, perhaps the
most troublous and stormy of the whole civil his.
tory of the country. This an honor the moIe
appreciated by him aud his native State, when we
remember that his own brother John had desert
81 the patriot cause, and followed the fortunes Of
the infamous Dunmore when the after was forced
- fy from Lewis cannon, opposite Gwyns Island.
Like bis venerable eompeer, Bland he too died Of
,aralysis, in Philadelphia, whist iu the midst 0i
the duties of his high position. lie fell like tas
great Chntam, laIneBted by Senate Of iilustrious
peers chief amongst whom was Washington bini-
self and by country who could illafford to lose
so distinguished Il son.
Near the door, as the visitor leaves the Hall, are
20 be seen three old paintings oil WORTHLESS, Hho to
Judge by their faces and their figures, we'll a.
~ their costumes, were in their day probably not
unknown 10 fame, hut who, by most coninendar
1le regard for the curiosity Of eGquiring pos
erity, have been left to the fate OF vague eoDjec
ture One is supposed to be the CoUsr DIX GaAssE
rom the fact that 1t shows the Preach naval uni
iJrm of that day, decorated with the order Of ST.
Louis. The face and figure too, accord very web
with the descriptions given of the gallant French
idmirai's person, who was not only bon-viyanf
If the most approved tastes, bat rejoice4 In the
possession OF "A snperabnndauce Of humor and So
eial b0n-hommie Like all Freedmen though, his
4quanimty of spirits was apt to be disturbed
when he failed to get his usual supply of grass of
some sort for salad Accordingly when the connt's
,iset arrived off the Virginia Cspes the first thing
the Americans had to do, was 10 satisfy the sto-
machs of their generous allies by employing q
lock Of small vessels to supply them with the ne
eesssry herbs. This done, they were Ready aud
anxious to cooperate.
The second Of these portraits IL supposed 70 be
that of Geu. KNOX, the sta:ioner and bookseller
If Boston, who forsook his peaceful counter, and
his silent array Of reams and folios. 70 be
come the brave Chief Of Artillery under Washing
ton, and who, Ia that capacity, exhibited such
military talent and prudence ia affairs as 10 win
the entire confidence and affection Of the Com
naBder-in-Chief He is represented Ia the Con-
tinentsl Artillery uniform, or bnh, blue and
red, with medal of the Order Of Cincinnati
attached TO the collar Of his coat
The third of these interesting relics battles even
conjecture itself We can Imagine, or recall 70
memory, no original Of the revolutionary period,
10 whom this picture might be referred The cos
tune seems to be purely Engiisii; scarlet coat,
trimmed With lace aud adorned with ruifies OF
the most scTupuous neatness aud purity ef tex.
ture. The face, teo, Is that OF gentleman OF ths
genuine English stamp, with queue and powdered
hair, and cTayat OF spotless white. The three
were evidently mporaries, and their por-
traits must have been taken at the same time aud
by the same artist This Is plainly eyiDced by
their4dehtity Ia size, style Of execution aud fra
ing. They all display the touch Of q good artist,
and are remarkable for that genaiusness and
truth OF expression so generally characterize of
good ikenesses. Pity it Is that no record Is left
10 assure Us Of their auths nticity.
HugARD's PULL LENGTH WAsHESefoS, wt.seh has
already been favorahly noticed BY the pres,
aud admired BY those who have visited the Hal,
nc eds no farther couamendalion 81 our hands We
advise all who have net done to 10 aud IT, 40
the artist expects to remove it soon ~ Southern
city for exhibition
There are numerous objects OF mipor interest In
the keeping Of the Historical Society, which We
might notice. but II the appeals which CONE up TO
Us on every side in behalf of an sntsrprise Of this
sort have not already Impressed us with desire
to forward its objects 90 degree ~ success COM
mensurafs with the wealth OF historic lore 70 be
found In this ancient Commonwealth, and In har-
naony with the tastes and traditional giories Of it,
gallant people, then indeed has our labor been In
ssia. la sacls view Of the case, wc leave 60 an
endiess oblivion al that ether uattops delight q