The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-02-26
ANMTEREsTING RELIC
A Portrait Of DIR. David Ramsay Pre-
sented to the State University.

In letter 10 the Rev. C. Bruce Walker, H.
brarian Of the university, Professor La Borde
has transferred 10 the keeping OF that institu-
ton a portrait By Peale of our lllustrlous his
toriaD, DR.. David Ramsay. Professor La
Borde In his letter says:
When Charleston was under siege during
the late war. and her citizens were sending
their valuables to The middle and up-country
for safekeeping. an original portrut of our
great historian, DR.. David Ramsay, was sent
to his BOD, Nathaniel Ramsay, Esq. q gentle
man 80 long and so favOraoly known as q
citizen of Columbia. Mr.. Ramsay begged me
10 take care OF it, and for many years 1t has
adorned my house. / have asked his permis-
sion to place It In the library OF the nversity,
and after consultation with an only surviving
sister, Miss Kitty Ramsay, he has kindly con.
seDL-d, with the condition that ''if they wish
to reclaim it-which thpy never expect to do
1t shall be given back"
Be assured that l take special pleasure In
presenting to the library, 10 behalf OF the son
and daughter, portrait OF this great and
good man. l presume 1t will not be out OF
pace TO avail myself of the occasion to say
Jew words Of him. We may profit by calling
TO remembrance the men OF former days, wfo
presented In their lives illustrons examples
of virtue, intelligence and patriotism. DR..
Ramsay was born in Pennsylvania, removed
10 Charleston before The Revolutionary War,
and Iabored zealonsy with the patriots for
the Independence Of bis country"
Distinguished In The councils of South Caro-
lima, he was also member OF the Continental
Congress, and afterwards represented Charles
ton District In the Congress of the United
States, of which body he was for some time
president. he was, too, devoted TO literary
pursuits, and was particularly distinguished
IN the department. OF history. He published
a "History OF the American Revolution" a
"Sketch Of the Soil, Climate, Weather and
Diseases of South Carolina" q "Lifo of WASH
ingten." and other works, and left many his
torical manuscripts. He was laborions Stu.
dent. giving, 1t is said, but four hours In the
night 10 sleep; and caring nothing for money,
was his estate"
An original portrait OF such man must
have more than ordinary value. Mr.. Ramsay
tells me- 1t was painted by Peale, at Pniladel-
phia, when his father was a member OF COu-
gress.
Rev. Mr.. Walker, In brief and graceful
note, returns the thauks of the library COM
mlttee for The historic portrait. The Caroli-
nlRn suggests that 1t would be we'll II the
University could also obtain protrait Of the
wife of Dr.. Ramsay, the daughter Of Henry
Laurens, the first president of Congress, who
was subsequently, taken prisoner and confined,
on charge Of high treason in the Tower Of
London. She was model daughter and q
model wife; und the memoirs OF her life, with
extracts from her diary, letters and other
private papers and letters to her from her
father, edited by DR.. Ramsay, and published
in London, 1916, are extremely Instructive
and entertaining, and reveal in the subject
character that is delightful to contemplate.