Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-03-28
masniNGToN,s q krrER.


He Said "He is Hackueyed to the
Touches of the Painters Pencil"
Iarpcr's Weekly.
In 1774 Pine carried out his warmly
expressed wishes by bringingS his
family to Philadelphia. His object is
shown in his letters to the Messrs.
Vaughan, and he sought to fulfil it by
painting portraits of the eminent men
OF tho Revolution, with y. view of repre-.
scnting, in several large paintings, the
principal events of the war, but il is
doubtful IL this project was ever COM
pioted. That he began it we know from
the inventory of his estate, which con-
tains, among other items, unfinished pic
lures representing the American Con-
gress Voting Independence, Capture of
Lord CORVALLIS, and the Colors Laid
Before Congress, General Washington
Resigning His Commission TO Congress,
General Washington Under the Char
acter of Fortitude. Also picture of
America Suffering the Evils Of War, Fan
allcgorical representation, doubtless the
one mentioned in his letter, and which
seems 10 have been engraved, us in the
inventory we find, "Copper-plate En-
craving of the Allegory of America and
1863 Prints" 1t would seem as if some
impressions from this plate must have
been preserved to our day, but have
not been able to learn of one.
The first portrait he is said to have
| painted after his arrival here Is the we'll
known one of Francis Hopkinson, and
it was letter from this gentleman to
Washington, explaining Pines design
and asking him to sit to the artist for his
portrait, that drew forth the famous let
ter dated
Mourn VERNON, May 10th, 1855.
| DEAR SIR.--ln for IA penny In for q
pound is an old adage. am SO hackneyed
10 the touches Of the Painters pencil that
am now altogether at their beck, and sit
| like Patience OH Monument whilst they
are delineating the lines OF my face.
1t is u proof among many others of
what habit and custom can effect. At first
| was as impatient at the request and as
FESTIVE under the operation, as Il colt is OF
the saddle. The next time, | submitted
very reluctantly but with less flounciag
Now, no dray moves more readily to the
Thill, than do to the Painters Chair. Ii
may easily be conceived, therefore, that
yielded ready obedience to your request
and To the views of Mr.. Pine.
Letters from England, recOmmendatOry
OF this trcntlenlaI, came to my hand prevl
ous to his arrival in America, not only 4:
un Artist Of acknowledged eminence, bul
as one who had discovered u friendly dis
position towards this Country, for which
1t seems lie had been marked.
1t gave me pleasure to hear from you.
shall always feel an interest in your happi
ness, and with Mrs. Wushingtons compli
mentS and best wishes joined to my Owl
tor Mrs. llopkinsun ana yourself
am DR.. Sir Your most obedt. ant
ailccle. hblc. Servant,
10. WAsHINGToS.
Pines lilincss of Washington is feebl,
and unsatisfactory, as are many of the
portraits that he painted in this country
lie left at his death four pictures o
Washington, described as "Kitt-cat,
which is most likely an error in size foj
half.lengtb, for the only two Pine
Washingtons now known are of thi
size. One belongs to the estate of the lat
j. Carson Brevoort of Brooklyn, N. y.
! and the other is in the National Museum
: State House, philudglphla. ''H