Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-06-25
JOHN YANDERLYN.
HIS FRUITLESS LOTE FOR THEODOSIA
BURR

lily FfCI1LESS ILOFE run 1HIODOoAH
BURR.
When the American Historical Novel
comes into fashion I know of an unmarked
grave up the Hudson which will tempt
pilgrimages from the novelist. 1t is the
grave of one of the most unique figures in
the history of this Nations first hundred
years. John Vanderlyn, a country lad born
in 1776, who rose to honors, knew many OF
the choicest joys of the world, was the friend
of rulers on two continents, and finally dy-
ing the victim of a broken heart at the age
of seventy-six, lies buried there.
1t is strange story that Of John Wander
lyn's career. A boy in the street, with
bit of charcoal and something akin to i'm
pudence, he sketches on blacksmith's door
caricature of a visitor to the little village
of Kingston. That visitor was Aaron Burr,
and he saw the picture-saw it, smiled,
and asked questions about its perpetrator.
When Aaron Burr went back to his law
Office in New York he took the lad with him.
He bought him books, directed his studies,
and finally placed him as pupil under
Gilbert Stuart, who, in Philadelphia was
finishing his famous portrait of Washing
ton. Studies in Paris and Rome follow
ed. The charcoal sketcher of a country town
was developing into wonderful painter.
In competition at Paris, where all the
artists of Europe were striving for honors,
he places cold, rough, harsh picture-cold,
rough, and harsh at least in contrast-With
the gaudy colorings which all the rest of
the world hangs up. "Marius on the Ruins
of Carthage" he called it. The old Roman
hero was represented sitting alone, sorrow
glory. Napoleon walked through the art
gallery. When he faced the picture he
halted, came to dead standstill, and in
admiration was mute for minutes. "Give
the medal to that" he commanded. John
Vanderlyn was famous. And all the Fates
rushed forward to make him glad.
Aaron Burr was proud. He was grateful,
too, for fortune had dealt unkindly with
him meantime. He had striven for the
Presidency of his country and had lost.
The killing of Hamilton made him an exile.
Generous interest it was that he received
upon the money he had given Vanderlyn,
who was now hero in Europe's aristocrat-
ic circles. The artist shared all his honors
and all his gold with his old-time benefac'
tor, the man who had become to one hemis-
phere the very personifcation of evil, and
yet who in earlier days, with no selfish aim
or hope, had taken from an humble place a
strange lad to spend money and affection
upon.
Biographical dictionaries and art histo-
ries tell enough about Vanderlyn's profess
nous the world over. His panel in the
National Capitol of "The Landing of Co.
lumbus' was done in answer to his country's
urgent request. All this everybody knows.
l have learned something widely different,
something far more interesting, for as the
world goes love far outstrips professional
achievments. John Vanderlyn never mar
ried. Why, has never been told in print.
The few relatives who survive descendants
of brother-talk sometimes of a romance
in his strange career. One OF them has
talked to me, and I have listened with deep
interest,
John Vanderlyn loved Theodosia Burr
Aaron Burr's only child-and Theodosia
Burr loved John Vanderlyn. Reared at
susceptible ages in the same house, love
was not unnatural in brotherly and sis
terly fashion; so far the great politician was
pleased. A letter from Paris that fell into
his hands, through the confidence of his
daughter, showed him that the young artist
was dividing his time between sights in the
Louvre and thoughts in New York. In
this letter John Vanderlyn poured out the
story of his strong affection and asked the
girl to promise that some day, when place
and fortune should be won, she would be
his wife.
Aaron Burr first smiled, then scofed, and
finally, in anger issued orders. Theodosia
obeyed. A dutiful girl she was for in do
ing her fathers will she did it knowing that
there was more than light reason in his
direction. He told her plainly of other
plans arranged for her; plans which sacrl-
feed all of her own future to that of the
parent whom she worshipped. Politics was
at the bottom. This was before the historic
contest in Congress between Jefferson and
Burr for the Presidency. Aaron Burr need
ed friends, close and influential. Through
the gift of daughters hand he would win
him. He would marry her to connection
of powerful political family of the State;
and influences at Albany hitherto lacking
might be depended upon. There was will
lingness with the lover-more willingness
than perception. A sighting word was spo-
ken of John Vanderlyn-"A pauper" was
the phrase the courting lover used. He u.s.
ed it but once. The blood of Aaron Burr
mounted to the cheeks of the daughter and
with an air that was bitter as bitter might
be she dismissed him. A scene between
father and daughter, storm with all the
flaming pyrotecnics that the Burr spirit
could muster, came quickly. A Lieutenant
of the discarded lovers family showed
speedy resentment of the slight. Even had
the spirited girl relented, it would have
been too late. Love had given way to war
fare. Aaron Burr smiled another OF his
biting smiles and from upbraiding came
to flattery for the honest part which she had
played. But not one word would he hear
of Vanderlyn as a suitor. The painter,
still working hard, not yet recognized, had
heard from his sWeetheart's pen the story
of a fathers interference, and the motive for
it; and he had heard, too, that above all
things on earth she treasured the penniless
painters love.
A sharp letter came from Paris to Burr;
but the cool headed politician essayed no
answer. The next letter that John Wander
and free from any ardor; it was but for
NAL announcement of the betrOthal of Theo-
dosia Burr to the brilliant young South
Carolinian, Joseph Allston. She welded
in order to secure Southern influence for her
father. AlstOn was an honorable man !;
and perhaps before the sea had swallow
ed them up in 1916, she had learned to
love him. He was worthy Of her affection
to him there was no knowledge that wife
came in by barter and by sale. He never
suspected that it was for votes to aggrand-
ize Aaron Burr that Aaron Burr's daugh-
ter said to him Yea when he asked her to his
home. And there was no further knOWl-
edge given to Vanderlyn either. Theodo-
sia Burr was too loyal to herself to declare
a love that was wrong in the worlds
rating.
So came it that John Vanderlyn fell into
cynicism. So it was that he chose to be-
lieve ere long that the hand had gone
where the heart had led and he exOnera-
ted Aaron Burr of all part in his fate.
When Burr, accused of high treason, need