The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1872-08-08
Scene 1t the British Court, on the Rec0gni.
ton Of American Independence.

From the Personal Recollect!nns Of the ste ELkAxaH
WADoS.l
Soon after my arrival in England, having re-
ceived at the insurance Office one hundred
Sdineas, on the event Of relieving Gibraltar, and
dining the same day with Copeley, the distin-
guished painter, who is BOstonian by birth, l
determined to devote the sum to portrait Of
myself The painting was finished in most
admirable style, except the back -grOund. in which
COpeley designed to represent ship bearing to
America the intelligence of the acknowledgment
of the Independence, with sun Just rising upon
the stripes of the Union streaming from her
gaf. All was complete, save the flag, which
COpeley did not esteem prudent to hoist, under
present circumstances, as his gallery is costant
resort of the royal family aud the nobility.
dined with the artist on the glorious fifth Of
December, 1875, after listening with him to the
speech Of the King, formally receiving and re-
eognizng the United States of America as one of
the nations Of the EARTH Previous to dining, and
Immediately after our return from the House of
Lords, he invited me into his studio, and there,
with q bold hand-a master touch, and an Ameri-
can heart-attached to the strip the stars and
stripes. This was, imagine, the first American
flag hOisted in old England ON canvas! 4.
At an early hour on the fifth of December, 1872,
in conformity with previous arrangement, l was
conducted by the Earl of Ferrers to the very door.
He whispered, sect rs near the throne as you
can; fear nothing" did 50, and fi,und myself
exactly in front Of it, elbow to elbow with the
celebrated Admiral Lord Howe. The Lords were
promiscuously standing M entered. 1t was
dark and foggy day, and the windows being
elevated and constructed in the antiqnated style,
with leailen bars to contain the diamond. cut
panes of glass, augmented the gloom. The walls
were hung with dark tapestry, representing the
defeat Of the Spanish Armada. had the plea
sure Of recognizing among the spectators Cope
ley, and West, the painter, with 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 the tremendous roar Of artillery. He entered
by small door on the left Of the throne and i'm
metiately seated himself upon the chair of state,
in graceful attitude, with his right foot resting
upon q stool. He clothed in royal robes
Apparently agitated, he drew from his pocket
the scroll containing his speech. The Commons
trance had subsidized, he proceeded to read his
speech.
was near the king, and watched with intense
interest every tons Of his voice and every emo
ton of his countenance. 1t was moment of
thrilling and dignified exultation. After some
general and usual remarks, he continued: 81
lost no time in giving the necessary orders to
prohibit the further prosecution of the war upon
the continent Of North America Adopting, rs
my inclination will always lead me to do, with
decision and effect, whatever collect to he the
sense Of my parliament and my people, ! have
pointed all my views and measures in Europe, as
in North America, to the entire and cordial re-
Cancellation with the Colonies. Finding it inds-
pensable to the attainment III this Object, did
not hesitate to 90 to the full length of the power
vested in me. and offer to declare them" Here
be paused, and was in evident agitation, either
embarrassed in reading his address by the dark
ness Of the rom, or affected by a very natural
emofios. In moment he resumesl: -" and offer
to declare them free and independent States. In
thus admitting their separation from the crown
of these kingdoms, have sacrificed every con-
sideration Of my own to the wishes and opinions
of my people. / make IL my humble and ardent
prayer to Almighty God that Great Britain may
not feel the evils which might result from 80
great ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the Empire, aud that
America may be free from the calsmities which
have formerly proved, in the mother country,
how essential monarchy ID to the enjoyment Of
constitutional liberty. Religion, language, in
tercst and affection may, and hope will, yet
prove bond Of q permanent union between the
two countries"
1t is remarked that George III. is celebrated
for reading his speeches in distinct, free and
impressive manner. On this occasion he was
evidently embarrassed; he hestatetl, choked, and
executed the painful duties Of the occasion with
an ill-grace that does not belong to him. can
not adequately portray my sensations in the pro-
grrss 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 tn review, in my mind's eye, the misery
and woe had myself witnessed in several stages
Of the contest, and the widespread desolation, ne
shifting from the etubb0rnness Of this very king,
now prostrate, lint who had turned . deaf ear
to our humble and impOrfunate petitions for re-
lief. Leaving the House, jostled CoPeley and
West, who Thought, were enjoying the rich
political repast II the day, and noticing the an
guislf and despair depicted in the long visases Of
our American Tories