Arizona citizen., 1878-03-22
ART AT THE CAPITOL.
Pictures in oil.
WASHINGTON. March 6. 1s

Os
 EDITOR CITIzEN:-The first paintlDg 2
 to which will refer, is the embarka-
 tion of the pilgrims from Delft Haven,
 Holland, representing the Puritan Fathers about to brave the dangers of
 the stormy Atlantic, seeking an asy.
 lum in the wilds of America where
 they might enjoy the blessings of civil and religious liberty.
 The next represents Columbus ac- companled by his principal officers, and few attendants already landed on the Island of San Salvador. The successful discoverer is in the act of prcclaiming possession in the name of his sovereign. The fleet is at anchor in the distance. The cost of this pie ture was S1O,00O. The next to the right is the discovery of the Missis- sippi river. by De Soto. This painting IS intended to represent De Soto and his party arriving on the banks of the Mississippi, after a tedious march through swamps and forest from dis tant Florida, and is indeed a splendid painting. The picture, however, does not verify history, the explorers had endured great privations, and ragged and worn, took to the river in canoes, in hopes Of escape from their suffer ings, De Soto succumbel to the fatigue of the march and was buried in the river. This picture cost Sl2, ,000.
 The painting east of the south door represents the Princess Pocahontas, daughter of the Indian King Pow hatten, in the act of receiving the sacred rite of baptism; John Rolfe, her future husband, stands by her side. The relatives of the Princess are pres ent, her uncle, with revengeful look watches. This painting cost $10,000. The painting on the right of the south door represents the memorable Con- gross of 1776, at the moment of sign ing the instrument of American liber- ty. In the disposition of the charac- ters the artist consulted Jefferson and Adams, both of whom were present. The style of dress, the furniture and the hall itself are exact representations of the time and place. The prominent group of figures on the right in the painting are Jefferson of Virginia, au- thor of the instrument; Franklin of Pennsylvania; Hancock af Massachu- sets; Rutledge of South Carolina, and Thompson of Pennsylvania. For varie- ty of composition, the committee of five are represented as having advanced in a body to the Presidents table, in stead of representing in the usual form through their chairman.
 The rigid dignity of the scene, and the expression of determination on every countenance can be readily ob- served.
 The painting in the panel on the left of west door, represents the sur render of the British Gen. Bur goyne to the American Gen. Gates at Saratoga; the former offering his sword to Gen. Gates, who advances but de- clines to receive the token of submis- sion, and invites the fallen General into his quarters.
 The painting on the right of west door, represents the closing scene in the contest between the colonies and the mother country, the surrender of the army of Lord Cornwallis to the Amerlcans at Yorktown, Va, The event is associated with an incident which should be borne in mind in order to comprehend what might seem out of keeping. About eighteen months before the surrender, General Lincoln then in command of the American forces at Charleston, South Carolina, had been obliged to capitulate 10 the British. Lord Cornwallis at that time refusing to allow the American com mander to march out of the city with colors flying and refusing other hon. ors customary under the circumstances. Accordingly the terms of surrender to Lord Cornwallis in this instance were the same as he had granted to Gen. Lincoln. General Washington, Com mander in Chief, and to whom the hon. or was due, appointed Gen. Lincoln to superintend the submission of the Bri- fish in the same manner as the Amerl- can general and his troops had been treated at Charlestown. The scene it. self represents Lord Cornwallis and his chief officers, under the direction of Gen. Lincoln, passing the opposite groups of American and French gen. erals and entering between the two lines of victOrs. By this disposition the chief actors in the scene are brought out boldly. In the distance the town of York Is visible, with the conquered troops marching out York River and the Chesapeake Bay, are also brought in and afford a general idea of the typographical surroundings. Late history however tells us that the terms were so humiliating indeed to Lord Cornwallis that he would not ap-