Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-23
TWO VALUABLE RELICS.
An Original Bust OF Franklin and Por-
trait of Mad Anthony Wayne.

To the Editor of The EVENING STAR.
In your paper mention is made of rare CEN
tennlal relic, IAN American flag which was car
ried by Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne in his expe-
dition against the northwestern Indians in
1892" 1t was in that year, after the defeat by
Gen. st. Clair, that Wayne was appointed by
President Washington to the command of the
United States army. Ipossess relic scarcely
less valuable than the flag referred to. 1t is an
original portrait in oil of that most daring and
distinguished general. Its history is in the
handwriting Of my father, the late Col ]. j.
Albert, who graduated at West Point in 1911 and
was for more than thirty years chief of the
since abolished corps of Typographical en-
gineers, US. army. This history was pasted
on the back Of the picture by my father and is
as follows:
"An original portrait Of Gen. Wayne. The fol-
lowing is its history: Maj. Swan twho married my
eldest sister, formerly paymaster general, was
him in New York, requested him to sit for his por-
trait to a celebrated New York artist, whose name
do not recollect. He did 80 and this portrait is
the result had this information from MAJ. Swan
himself. My first knowledge Of the portrait Is as
far back as 1SOS, when first saw it In the posses
sion of Maj. swan, then my brother-in-law. was
in Washington at the time to obtain the appoint
ment Of cadet Maj. Swan died, leaving a widow
Cmy sister, and one child. My sister atterward
W Il.
moved to that place. taking the picture with her.
1t continued in her possession until the daughter
OF Maj swan, his only child, was married to Lieut.
Magruder, U.S.N., when, both mother and daugh-
ter agreeing, the picture was given 20 me and has
ever since been in my possession. except for a
few weeks when 1t was loaned to an artist TO make
q copy. (Signed) j. j. ALBERT,
"March, 1850"
have also still more valuable relic. It Ia
an original bust of Franklin, executed by Co.
racchi in Italian marble. 1t was purchased from
the artist by Alexander James Dallas Secretary
OF the Treasury under President Monroe II
was presented by him to his daughter Sophia,
who had married Richard Bache, son OF
Franklin's only daughter, Sarah, and Richard
Bache, sr. Under stress of circumstances it
was sold to VIM. P. Bryan, a merchant of Phil
adelphia, who, dying, left it to his wife, and she
by will beoueathed it to her brother, Col J. ].
Albert, my father, who gave it to me, having
married a daughter Of the former owner, Mrs.
Sophia Bache. This bust is an exquisite piece
OF art and gives a more intellectual expression
to the face Of Franklin than any representation
of him that have ever seen. It is too valua-
BILE a relic OF that great patriot, statesman and
philosopher to remain subject to the risks of
private possession. But l do not feel it my
duty to present it to the government, and re-
ceived no encouragement when, some years
ago, sought it as a purchaser. He was, per-
haps, more highly estimated in France, and
lately have thought possibly that that govern
ment or some Of the institutions Of the country
might desire it. Yours, respectfully,
CHARLES ALBERT,
Homewood, near Norbeck, Montgomery county,
Md