The New York herald., 1869-01-12
HOUDos,s STATUE or WASHINGTON.

HOUDOH's STATUE OF WAsADGT0y.
EAN s ~-~~>~~S-~~~~~~~~~~~
Romevai sf Hsbard's Copy from tho Cfsy
HaII-Hissery ef tse Statue.
Yesterday morning large truck backed up at the
easterly side OF the City Hall and number Of stall
wart men Immediately commenced arranging ropes
and blocks and pulleys up 70 the second story hall
window. Presently the heal OF the City Hall keeper,
Mr. Roome appeared at the window, and from the
anxious scrutiny which he made OF the strength and
security OF the trappings Il was very evident that
something very heavy or very valuable, or perhaps
both heavy and valuable, was TO be removed. On
inquiry 1t was learned that the copy Of Houdon's
washington, which for some years past has graced
the Governors room. Was about to be removed from
that place to the National Academy OF Design. This
copy Of Houdon's famous statue u Of three which
were made from the original, which was made under
the direction Of the Legislature Of Virginia In lisa.
Early In 1850 Mr.. W. J. Hubbard, who was anxious to
dispose Of thiA his third copy, 70 the city Of New
York. made an application to the Common Council
Offering TO sen II for $4,000. me matter was re-
ferrod 70 the Committee on Fine Arts OF the Board
OF Aldermen. consisting Of Aldermen Richard Barry,
Charles G. Cornell and George Starr. At this time
the Prince Of Wales was in this country route 20
the metropolis. The artist, anxious to have the
and the Common Council perhaps BE- induced 70 pur.l
chase it, obtained permission from tho Street Conn.,
missioner to place the statue temporarily in the
Governors r0om but In consequence OF the arrange.
ments which had been made for the recep-
ton Of the Prince the statue was not seen
BY the royal youth. The Committee ON
Mr.. Hnbard wished to sell to the CITY ana msae close
and extensive inquiries In regard to the authent ty
OF the Original and the copy and the result OF their
H1 n a IN md yhnnQ ffuo
report to the B0ard Of Aldermen, presented at the
meeting OF the Board held April D, ls60 This report
Board Of Aldermen and was found to be so interest
ing instructive and valuable that II was afterwards
printed N pamphlet form and was 60 rapidly sought
Tor that the edition was soon used mp ff 94 4I
In this report II recited the measures taken by the
conmittee to secure the necessary proofs Of the
ubard proposed 20 sell 70 the city city and snd the fact oi
the importance OF securing perfect dellneati0n OF
s q So
Of Virginia In l7s4 to Thomas Jefferson to procure q
statue Of General washington. and appropriating
the duty Of selecting an artist was left TO Jefferson
who Immediately sailed 70 Europe and Joined Frank.
several iIlusrious personaees It was decided that
the work should be comml'ted 20 Houdon. then the
most celebrated sculptor In Paris: Although the
swered IL would be the glory OK his life to be en-
abled to place his name humby upon the plinth Of
statue representing that good man.
II was supposed that whatever artist might be
engaged wolId perform his work in Paris from
= d M p.s SGn sn ne Ss ns o
rejected sl such aids, and determined to proceed
son informed washington that the artist had diff
aculty TO withdraw himself from N order q the
that Houdon should leave the rewards offered ather
court ITO make the statue OF colonial rebel"
without rivasnip ana Is disinterested. Generous
candid and painting after glory y "He comes now
ior tne pgrpose ot Lending ss sd Of his art 70 trans
don across the ocean and announced their arrival
in Philadelphta To this washington. then g Mount
don, which Is as follows:-
eer, which have lately had the honor 70 rscevs
place H.sY s,ss,: ss .s s:.s:si.s:
the OCCASION Tor which, though the cause i no. Of my own
seeking feel the most agreeable and grateful sensatfons
the S
my r ysG s
I
=
Houdon Immediately proceeded TO Mount Vernon
and cordially received. Although the artist had
holding washington, yet he afterwsrd stated 70 yef
lerson tnat ne had no idea Of the grandeur OF his
refused Houdon's request allow plaster casts to
be taken OF his fAce and whole person; bot such
the conndence which the artist inspired that Wash
1gton submitted saying "Dc with . me e you
Iously modest Washington dad permit himself to be
head to fooGn -e44 f
Youdon remained at Mount Vernon fortnight en-
gagged In taking casts which he sent to Paris. The
muulds OF the Head were retained under his special
cnarge he observing:"lf they are lost In the ocean
am determined to perish with them"
All the correspondence relating 70 the statue ap-
cation from the government OF Virginia to w. J.
HUBBARD 10 make copies, from the original statue.
Speaking OF the statue the report sAys-"It Illus
trates the incident emphatic In his history-the
OF the army. He holds In his hand the cane OF the
civilian while he rests on the rods or fasces, on
which s thrown his military cloak and on which
hangs his sword" The report also says
Th: most % Sss.ssns dsno: q he rsssmsa,e: 2, ne
visited this country Ills request
was be shown some OF his dear friend He
Trumbuls, and said that brought him mind but
when before Houon he remained eazed
hat the man himsef can almost realize he ID going 70
moven
The report concludes by urging upon the Common
Council the importance OF securing the copy then
oered for $4,000 and directing the Street Commits
slonr TO place 1t In the City Hail until permanent
place could be assigned for II In the Park
Action on the report was deferred, and no move
ment was made In the matter until 0 few days ago,
when the widow OF MIR. HUBBARD applied for permls-
sion the statue TO the Academy OF Design.
PERMISSION was granted and yesterday the removal
took place ~ above stated IL II proposed TO raise
fund Tor the purpose of purchasing the statue and
presenting II TO the Commissioners OF the Parke
EUxTCPAL AFFAIRS.
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