The New York herald., 1876-07-10

In the catalogue, which Is IN the hands OF the
printers, and will give the Of the artist, the
and the tile OF every picture and piece Of stat
uary in the art department
But lew pictures have been placed during the past
week, but one important alteration has been made
The portrait OF Washington, by Gilbert Stuart was
brought from England in the steamer which brought
the English pictures, and hung by mistake In the
room with them. II has been removed from there
and has just been placed the left wall OF the dome
THIS painting is the important every American
of IN the whole gallery II should In fact be
the most valuable in tho United States AS Is the
only portrait Of George Washington in existence which
was finished by Gilbert Stuart directly from life.
That in the Boston Athensum, for which only 81 900
was paid, unfinished the face only having been COM
p!sted from sittings ei Washington, aud all other
portraits by Stuart are from thai one, which he never
would nnish while he could paint duplicates from H.,
although frequently urged to do SO by Washington.
The present portrait life size full length stand
ing pose, and s the property Of brother Of Mr. Will
lam ID. LOWS, OF this city, who resides in England
The portrait painted by Stuart tor Mrs. Bingham.
who presented It TO Lord Lsnsdowne AT his death
sold 70 Ar. Samuel Williams 0 merchant
who aftsrward tailed, when the portrait was
the Orty shares being sold for ESQ EACH making the
sum OF e. 0O0 which was the price paid by Mr. Williams
owner held lucky NUMBER and at his death be-.
came the properly Of that Z, ntleman.
The following Is copied from an autograph letter by
Washington in reference to where he to stor set
us he expresses i-and rs addressed 10 Mr stuart,
Chestnut street. and ssaled with red wax The re-
marks OF Mr. Stuart arc on the same Sheet and tho
note ut the end signed dated and Is evidently
by third person. The following are the Documents:
.sSIK-l am under promise 10 Mrs bingham set to
you O'Clock, and wish ny to know IL
It be convenient 10 you that should do So and whether
II shall be a. your own house las he talked OF the State
HnnsA AL ntA n as mntt n
Your obedient selvt,
EVensns Meunas 11th ApL, 1896. CO. WASHINGTON"
''ln looking my papers to 0nd that had the
signature OF George Washington find this, asking
me when he should sit Tor his portrait, which
owned by Samuel Williams, OF London have thought
1t proper IL should be his especially as he owns tho
only original painting ever made OF Washington,
ccpt one own myself. painted a third, but rubbed
II out.
II now present to his brother, limo. Williams for
sd Samuel CT. STUART.
'BosroS, 9th day March, 1923
Attest. P. DAVIS.
Nv. DUTrON.
"L. BALDWIN.
s'N. B.-Mr. Stewart painted In ye winter his
first portrait OF Washington, but destroyed 1t. The
next poi trait was ys one now owned by 5. Willams
the third Mr. S. now has, Two only remain, AS above
stated. !"
1t can be readily seen by these papers, signed aud
witnessed that the portrait is one which should
main IN this country after the Centennial Exhibition 10
The proper place for il in the Capitol at Wash
ingon Congress cannot certainly neglect to recognize
the value of this the only portrait In existence finished
from lie OF greatest hero and statesman, hrst
President whose career should be the model OF all who
hold public Office 1t different class OF work Is
ferred for the Capitol tho picture should never
be allowed to leave Memorial Hail. There
must be In city which can In 50
short time erect such institutions the Pennsyl-
vania Academy and Memorial Hall number OF gentle
men who could easily raise ten tunes the paid by
the Boston Atnenaum Tor their portrait The other
places which this picture would crace-B0ston Is
counted out. she can't have both-arc tue Metro
politan Museum of Art in New York and the Cor
corAn Gallery In Washington. This centennial year is
the most appropriate time tor gaining thus great acquisi
ton to .hc treasures this country, and
American will want 20 tho picture back to Europe
after having had It on this side.