The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-02
LETTERS FROM JEFFERSON.
They Ire Brought to Light After Being
Hidden for a Century.
THE WASHINGTON STATUE TRANSACTION.
They Were Written to Governor Harrison
From Paris and Give the Details or
tho Negotiations With Houdon.

| the excellent and wise suggestion OK Secre-
tary-of-the- Commonwealth Flournoy clerk
was appointed TO examine. assert and prepare
for record or publication number of legisla-
tive papers and documents which for long
time have remained uncared for.
This careful research has revealed a number
of very interesting subjects, among which are
two letters written by Thomas Jefferson re-
garding the negotiations for the statue of
Washington.
The dust of nearly a century has sccumu-
lated upon these interesting letters. and for the
first timo to-day they are printed, pregnant
with pleasing information and repIete with
the details of proposed tribute that exhibits
the love. yeneration and loyalty which the
matchless Washington enjoyed
This statue of Washington by Houdon is
beyond question the most accurate and mag
nihcent delineaton Of the Father of his
Country extant to-day. The statue pres
ents the figure erect; the head uncover
ed the sword on the left the cane in
the right hand - representing in de-
vice what Washington had so forcibly ex-
pressed in his reply TO the address of the
General Assembly of Virginia, the subor-
dination Of the military 70 the civil power;
the fasces and ploughshare by his side,
the one representing authority, power and
honor the other. the peaceful arts most con-
genial to his taste and feelings. The beautl-
full harmony between these simple devices
and the character of Washington inspires the
spectator with the most pleasing emotions
The artist sailed from France about the hrst
of August, 1855. arriving at Mount vernon
the third of October ensuing and returned
to Paris about the first Of January, 1856. The
contract allowed him three years for the COM
pletion Of the statue, which he effected
in about that space of time, COM
plotting it in 1888. But the new Capitol
in which provision was 20 be made tor It's re-
ception not being finished before 1886, 1t was
detained in France 10 await that event. 1t
reached Philadelphia in April, 1896, arrived
in Richmond in May, and was erected in the
quadrangle of the Capitol the 18th day OF
May. 1896.
In 1924 when Lafayette visited this city he
stood and gszed upon the statue, and then
with the tears rolling down his cheeks no eX-
claimed: That il iny old commander" aud
a few moments later ne announced: That 10
fac-simile of the man"
The Stuart portrait of Washington in the
Athenoum at Boston and the painting by
Rembrandt Peale are usually considered.
although varying in material points as being
good representations; but without doubt the
only positively accurate likeness is found IN
the Houdon statue at the Capitol.
The monument bears the following stately
inscription, which is from the pen OF james
Madison:
THE General Assembly of the Common
wealth OF Virginia have caused this statue to
be erected as a monument of affection and
gratitude to George Washington, who. unit
ing % the endowments of the hero the virtues
of the patriot. aud exerting both in establish
ing the liberties of his country. has rendered
his name dear TO his fellow-citizens. and given
to the world an immortal example of true
glory"
PARIS Jan. u, 1875.
Sir: The letter of July 20, 1884, with which
Your Excellency was pleased to honor me,
and which enclosed the resolution Of Assem-
bly, for the statue of General Washington,
came to my hands on the 2sth Of November
by Mr.. Short, and few days afterwards re-
ceived duplicate Of it. As it WAS not
practicable 10 get the business into
any train before the sailing OF
the December packet omitted acknowledge
ing It's receipt till the packet OF this month
should sail. There could be no question raised
as to the sculptor who should be employed,
the reputation of Mons. Houdon. Of this
city, being unrlvalled IN Europe.
He is resorted TO for the statues
of most of the soyereIgns IN Europe;
On conversing with him DR.. Franklin and
myself became satisfied that no statue could
be executed so as 10 obtain the appreciation Of
those 10 whom the figure OF the original Is
known but on an actual view by the artist.
OF course no statue of General Washington
which might be true evidence OF his hgure
TO posterity could be made from his picture.
Statues are made every day from portraits,
but if the person be living they are always
condemned by those who know him for "A
want of resemblance and this furnishes con-
elusive presumption that similar representa-
tions of the dead are equally unfalthtul.
Monsieur HoudOn. whose reputation - such
as to make il his principal object, WAS 80 anx-
iOus 10 be the person who should hand down |
the figure Of the General TO future ages. that |
without hesitating a moment he offered TO |
abandon his business here. to leave the |
statues Of Kings unfinished and TO go 10 |
America 70 take the true figure by actual IN |
spection and ,,mensuration. We believe from |
his character that he will not propose any |
very considerable sum for making this Jour
ney probably two or three hundred guineas
as he must necessarily be absent three or |
four months, and his expenses VIII MAKE at |
least hundred guineas OF the money. when
the whole merit Of the piece was TO depend
on this previous expenditure, wo could not |
doubt your appreciation of the measure, and
that you would think with US that things |
which are lust as handsome should never be
done by halves. We shall regulate the article
Of expense as economically as We can, with
Justice 10 the wishes Of the world.
This article. together with the habit, attl-
tude, devices. &c. are now under consldera-
ton and till they be decided on we cannot
ultimately contract with Mons'r Houdon.
We are agreed in one circumstance that the
size shall be precisely that Of the life. Were
we to have executed statue in any other
case we should have preferred making II
somewhat larger than the life. because. as
they are generally little elevated, they APP
pear smaller, but we think it important that
some one monument should be preserved Of |
the true size as well as figure, from which all
other countries (and our own at any
future day when they shall desire it may
take copies, varying them in their dimen-
sions as may suit the particular situation in |
which they wish TO place them, the duty as
we'll as glory of this personaton we
think belong peculiarly TO Virginia.
We are sensible that the eye. alone con-
sidered. will not be quite as we'll satisfied.
but connecting the consideration that the
whole and every part of it presents the true
size Of the life, wo suppose the beholder will |
receive o greater pleasure on the whole.
Should we agree with Monsr Houdon, no
will come over in tho April jacket. and of
course may be expected in Virginia about
the last of LAY. His stay with the
General will be about month. This
will DO employed in forming his bust
% plaster With this he will return 70 Paris
and will there be between two and three
years in executing the whole 10 marble.
have thought it my duty to detail 10 Your
Excellency our ideas on this subject as far as
they are settled. that if in any point we are
varying from the wishes of the Executive or
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