Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1893-04-20
Old SENATE CHAMBER.
Baltseiore Sun Of april 10.

decision as to whether or not the
celebrated painting, ssWashington
Resigning His Commission shall
be removed from the Senate House
in Annapolis to be exhibited at the
Worlds Fair.
The picture hangs in the most
appropriate place that could have
been selected for 1.-THE wall of the
Senate chamber overlooking the
spot on which-%heS events depicted
occurred. To be sure the room is
sadly changed now, with its new
paint and its modern appointments,
but, as one stands before the large
picture, the old atmosphere seems
to return and latter-day vandalism
is forgot in imaginings of the scene
in the simply-furnished room pre-
served on the canvas. The paint
ing IA by IL feet and is set in a
heavy gilt frame. 1t was executed
in 1859 by Edwin White, of New
York by order of the General As
sembly. White was born in 1917
and died in 1877, and it is said that
the work was executed in Paris. 1t
is not considered historically accu-
rate in the details of the ceremony
as it occurred, for the artist had to
draw largely upon his Imagination
and contemporaneous accounts to
produce it. 1t is said, however,
that White obtained accurate infor-
nation in reference to the persons
present in the Senate chamber ut
the time, and travelled all over the
country hunting up family portraits
on which to base his work.
Whether historically accurate or
not in every minute detail, the can
vas shows striking and interesting
scene. Alarge portion of the Sen
ate chamber stretches out before
the eyes, against its neutral green
sh-gray walls being outlined groups
of famous men whose legacy to
their sons and daughters was a hard
earned peace and independence.
At the right of the canvas, and
seated before table on a platform
in front of the arshed niche mark
ing the place of honor, is Thomas
Mifflin, President of the United
States Congress. At another table
in front of this is seated the secre-
tary, Charles Thompson, busily
writing. With one hand resting
lightly on ali open document on this
table stands the commander in
chief Of the Continental Army, his
stalwart figure clad in the blue and
yellow Continental uniform, and
from his shoulders depending a
heavy military cloak. The pose is
easy, yet dignified, and the face,
with its earnest, vigorous outline
framed in snow-white hair, is that
of man who has borne the brunt
of the conflict and bears the marks
of time and service. Bending over
the table near this striking portrait
ure of General Washington is an
old soldier, and in the background
are the two aids, Col. Benjamin
Walker and Col. David Humphreys,
both portrait pictures.
The old room is represented as
thronged with men and women,
Congressman, citizens, ladies and
children in the varied costumes
military or ciyilian-that marked
the period. Every face is intent,
and the majority of them are cor
rect portraits of the originals. In
the midstof this notable gathering
is seen the gentle old face of Martha
Washington, with its frame of soft
white hair and black and white head
dress, while in happy contrast to
this matronly figure is that of a
young girl, her neice, in pretty
bright-colored gown. Among those
most intent on the stirring scene
are Charles Carroll of Corrollton
and his daughters, picturesque
trio, the dainty gowns of the ladies
making a graceful touch of soft col
oring against the tones of the back
ground.
The faces of James Madison,
James Monroe and Thomas Jeffer-
son are recognizable among the
listeners, and other pictured faces
are those of Alexander Hamilton,
of New York, Col. John Eager
Howard, Col. Samuel Smith, JOSH
ua Barney, Edward Lloyd, General
SmaIlwood, Otho Holland Williams,
Thomas Stone. William Paca and
Samuel Chase of Maryland, and GEL