The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-02-25
Portrait of DR.. David Ram..y.

below. between PEofessoreLRBofde and
Rev. O. Bruce Walker, Idbrarian OF lhe
University, relative to portrait, by
Peale, OF the illustrious DR.. David Ram.
say. will be read with interest by oil
scholars. They will recognize the At
ness. the beautiful propriety Of placing
Dr. Ramsay's portrait in the Library Of
the University. He was voluminous
author. a very aotive literary man, and O
patriot sans peur- et sans reproche. He
married the daughter of Henry Laurens.
the frst President of Congress, who
was subsequently taken prisoner and
confined, on charge of high treason,
in the Tower OF London. She was a
model daughter aud model wife; and
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 instruotiv
and entertaining. and reveal in the
subject q character TINT it is delightful
to contemplate. We should be glad if
her portrait too, could be added TO this
of her distinguished oonsort. We thank
our. friend, Mr.. Nathaniel Ramsay, the
only surviving son of tho historian, for
the good judgment he has shown in
giving up to the keeping OF the Uni
yersity the portrait of one who go highly
dignifed and adorned the pursuit of
letters.
UNIVERSITY OF 8. O., Feb. 81, 1873.
Req. G.. Bruce Walker-MY DEAR SIR:
When charleston was under siege, dur
ing the late war, and her citizens we're
sending their vaiuables to the middle and
country, for safe-keeping, an original
portrait of our great historian, DR.. David
Ramsay, was sent to his son, Nathaniel
Ramsay, Esq, gentleman 30 long and
80 favorably known az citizen of Co.
lumbia. Mr.. Ramsay begged me to
take care of it. and for many years it has
adorned my house. I have asked his
permission to place it in the Library of
the University; and after consultation
with an only surviving sister, Miss Kitty
Ramsay, he hos kindly consented, with
| the condition, that ''if they wish to re-
claim it-which they never expect to do
it shall be given back"
Be assured that I take special pleasure
in presenting to the Library. in behalf
of the son and daughter, portrait of
this great and good man. presume
that it will not be out of place to avail
myself Of the occasion to say few words
of him. We may profit by calling to re-
membranoe the men of former days, who
presented in their lives illustrious exam.
pies Of virtue, intelligence and patriot
ism. DR.. Ramsay was born in Pennsyl-
vania, removed to Char lesion before the
Revolutionary War. and labored zeal
ously with tho patriots for the indepen-
denoe of his country.
Distinguished in the councils of South
Carolina, be was also member of the
Continental Congress, and afterwards
represented Charleston District in the
Congress of the United States. of which
body he was for some time President.
He vas, too, devoted to literary pursuits,
and was particularly distinguished in
the department OF history. He pub
lished History Of the Revolution in
South Carolina" "History of the
American Revolution" "Sketch of
the Soil. Climate, Weather and Diseases
Of South Carolina" Life of Washing
ton," and other works, aud left many
historical manuscripts. He was q labo-
rious student, giving, it is said. but
four hours in the night Ito sleep; and
caring nothing for money, felt with the
Italian philosopher, that "Time was his
estate"
An original portrait of such q man
must have more than ordinary value.
Mr.. Ramsay tells me it was painted by
Peale. at Philadelphia, when his father
was member of Congress. Peale was
our earliest portrait painter. being for
fifteen years the only one in North Ame-
RIGA. He had the advantage of instruo.
ton from Copley, West and others, and
reached high position in his art. He
painted many of our distinguished revo-
lutionary officers, who were afterwards
killed, and We are indebted to him alone
for likeness Of them.
Pardon me for adding that in the exi-
gency of the removal of the portrait from
the city, it was despatched without
frame, and for suggesting TINT you get
leave OF the Library Committee to pro-
vide ono.
With high regard. ain.
HI. LABORDE.
FEBRUARY %, 1873.