Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-01

in which 1t had been suspended to take care
of itself, where it remained until the rem
nant OF our army, reduced to about 1000,
passed by, taking the direction of George
town, when the portrait was taken by Mr..
Depeyster and myself, assisted by two col
ored boys, from the said room, and with it
we fell into the trail of the army and con-
tfnued with 1t some miles,
"Overtaken by night and greatly fatigued,
we sought shelter in a farm house. No
other persons assisted In removing or pre-
serving the picture. 1 acted at the personal
request of Mrs. Madison, and Mr.. Depeyster
co-operated with me in carrying her wishes
into effect. l always supposed the praise
worthy solicitude originated with her; 1t
would require very positive and clear proof
to induce me to change that opinion. 1t
certainly did not originate with me or Mr.
Depeyster; nor have 1 ever intimated that
any other than Mrs Madison was entitled
to the least credit therefor
Letter From Mrs. Madison.
The following gives a more specific de-
scription of the way the portrait was saved:
After the battle Of Bladensburg. when
the British army was advancing on Wash
ington, at the request of President Madi-
sons lady, Jacob Barker and Robert G. l..
Depeyster took from the Presidents house
the original portrait of Washington, by
Stuart. With 1t in charge, they fell into
the train of the American army, then re-
treating past the house. continuing with 1t
until nigntfall, when they turned off to q
farm house near the margin Of the Tiber,
where they passed the night and left the
portrait for safe-keeping. The Americ an
army encamped two miles further on and
early the following day it proceeded to
Montgomery Court House.
After a lapse of month or two Mr..
Barker returned to the farm house where
the painting had been left and caused it to
be taken back TO Washington and delivered
to Mrs. Madison. That good lady had 1t REIN
stated ia the White House as soon as 1t was
n n a mo
A letter from Mrs. Madison to Mr.. De-
peyster written in 1913 corroborates the
foregoing, and to Mr.. Barker rather than
to Mr.. Carroll undoubtedly belongs the dis
tincion of having aided the lovely wife of
the President to preserve a relic that was
precious not only In her sight, but In the
hearts of the whole nation. The letter is
as follows:
Il did not receive your favor concerning
the newspapers and therefore is my i'm
patience to assure you of my gratitude for
the interest you take in my defense in the
little narrative of this picture rescue.
"You will see by the inclosed what was
said at the time. The impression that Mr..
Carroll saved Stuart's portrait of Wash
ington Is erroneous. The paper which was
to accompany your letter has not reac he'd
me. but 1 have heard that his family be-
lieved he rescued it. On the contrary, Mr..
Carroll left me to Join Mr.. Madison. when l
directed my servants in what manner to re-
move 1T from the WALL remaining with
them until 1T was done. 1 saw Mr.. Barker
and yourself (the two gentlemen alluded toy
passing, and accepted your offer to aid me,
in any way, by inviting you to help me
preserve this portrait, which you kindly
carried, between you, to the humble but
safe roof which sheltered it vile. l acted
thus because of my respect for Gen. Wash
ington, not that 1 felt desire to gain
laurels; but should there be merit in re-
naming an hour in danger of life and liber-
ty. to save the likeness of anything, the
merit in this case belongs to me-