With Magna Charta in one Hand, he points with the other, to the Statue of British Liberty, trampling under Foot the Petition of the Congress at New-York. Some have thought it not quite proper to represent Liberty as guilty of an Action so contrary to her genuine Spirit; for that, conducting herself in strict Propriety of Character, she ought not to violate, or treat with Contempt, the Rights of any one. To this it may be sufficient to say, the Painter principally intended to allude to the Observation which hath been made by Historians, and Writers on Government, that the States which enjoy the highest Degree of Liberty are apt to be oppressive of those who are subordinate, and in Subjection to them. Montesquieu, speaking of the Constitution of Rome, and the Government of the Roman Provinces, says, "La Liberté croit, dans le Centre et la Tyrannic aux Extrimetés:" And again, "La Ville ne sentoit point la Tyrannie, qui ne s'exercoit que sur les Nations Assujettis." And supposing Mr. Pitt, in his Oration, to point, as he does, at the Statue, it makes a Figure of Rhetoric strongly and justly sarcastic on the present faint Genius of British Liberty, in which Light, Gentlemen of Reading and Taste have been pleased to commend it. The Fact is, that the Petition of the Congress at New-York, against Acts of meer Power, adverse to American Rights, was rejected by the House of Commons, the Guardians, the Genius, of that Liberty, languishing as it is. An Indian is placed on the Pedestal, in an erect Posture, with an attentive Countenance, watching, as America has done for Five Years past, the extraordinary Motions of the British Senate — He listens to the Orator, and has a Bow in his Hand, and a Dog by his Side, to shew the natural Faithfulness and Firmness of America. It was advised by some, to have had the Indian drawn in a dejected and melancholy Posture: And, considering the apparent Weakness of the Colonies, and the Power of the Parent Country, it might not perhaps, have been improper to have executed it in that Manner; but in Truth the Americans, being well founded in their Principles, and animated with a sacred Love for their Country, have never disponded. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PICTURE AND MEZZOTINTO O F MR. P IT T DONE BY CHARLES WILLSON WILLSON PEALE Τ' OF MARYLAND. HE Principal FIGURE is that of Mr. PITT, in a Confular Habit, speaking in WITH MAGNA CHARTA in one Hand, he points with the other, to the Statue of BRITISH Liberty, trampling under Foot the Petition of the CONGRESS at New-YORK. Some have thought it not quite proper to reprefent LIBERTY as guilty of an Action fo contrary to her genuine Spirit; for that, conducting herself in ftri&t Propriety of Character, the ought not to violate, or treat with Contempt, the Rights of any one. To this it may be fufficient to say, the Painter principally intended to allude to the Obfervation which h th been made by Hiftorians, and Writers on Government, that the States which enjoy the bigheft Degree of Liberty are apt to be oppressive of those who are fubordinate, and in Subjection to them. MONTESQUIEU, fpeaking of the Conftitution of ROME, and the Government of the KOMAN Provinces, lays, "La Liberté croit, dans le Centre et la Tyrannic aux Extrimetés :" And again, "La Ville ne fentoit "psint la Tyrannie, qui ne s' exercoit que fur les Nations Affugereis" And fuppofing Mr. PITT, in his Oration, to point, as he does, at the Statue, it makes a Figure of Rhetoric ftrongly and justly farcaftic on the prefent faint Genius of BRITISH Liberty in which Light, Gentlemen of Reading and Tafte have been pleased to commend it. The Fact is, that the Petition of the Congrefs at NEWYORK, against Acts of meer Power, adverfe to AMERICAN Rights, was rejected by the House of Commons, the Guardians, the Genius, of that Liberty, languishing as it is. AN INDIAN is placed on the Pedestal, in an erect Poiture, with an attentive Countenance, watching, as AMERICA has done for Five Years paft, the extraordinary Motions of the BRITISH SenateHe lifters to the Orator, and has a Bow in his Hand, and a Dog by his Side, to shew the natural Faithfulness and Firmness of AMERICA. IT was advised by fome, to have had the INDIAN drawn in a dejected and melancholy Pofture: And, confidering the apparent Weakness of the Colonies, and the Power of the Parent Country, it might not perhaps, have been improper to have executed it in that Manner; but in Truth the AMERICANS, being well founded in their Principles, and animated with a facred Love for their Country, have never difponded. AN ALTAR, with a Flame is placed in the Foreground, to fhew that the Caufe of Liberty is facred, and, that therefore, they who maintain it, not only discharge their Duty to their King and themselves, but to GOD. It is decorated with the Heads of SIDNEY and HAMPDEN, who, with undaunted Courage, fp ke, wrote, and died in Defence of the true Principles of Liberty, and of those Rights and Bleffings which GREAT-BRITAIN now enjoys: For, as the Banner placed between them expreffes it, SANCTUS AMOR PATRIE DAT ANIMUM. A CIVIC CROWN is laid on the Altar, as confecrated to that MAN who preferved his Fellow-Ci tizens and Subjects from Deftruction! THE View of W. His introduced in the Back Ground, not meerly as an elegant. Piece of Architecture, but as it was the Place where fuffered, for attempting to invade the Rights of the BRITISH Kingdoms: And it is obfervable, that the State and Altat of BRITISH Liberty are erected near the Spot where that great Sacrifice was m.de, through d Neceffity, to the Honour, Happiness, Virtue, and in one Word, to the Liberty of the BRITISH People. THE Petition of the Congrefs at NEW-YORK, and the Reprefentation of W-H point out the Time, and almost the Place, where the Speech was delivered. THE chief Object of this Defign will be anfwered, if it manifefts, in the least, the Gratitude of AMERICA to his Lordship. It will, with Tradition, unprejudiced by the Writs of Hirelings, who are made to glide in with the courtly Streams of FALSHOOD, be the faithful C veyance to Pofterity of the Knowledge of thofe GREAT THINGS which we, who are not to be ingold on by "the bufy Doings and Undoings" of the envious Great, have feen An Altar, with a Flame is placed in the Foreground, to shew that the Cause of Liberty is sacred, and, that therefore, they who maintain it, not only discharge their Duty to their King and themselves, but to God. It is decorated with the Heads of Sidney and Hampden, who, with undaunted Courage, spoke, wrote, and died in Defence of the true Principles of Liberty, and of those Rights and Blessings which Great-Britain now enjoys: For, as the Banner placed between them expresses it, Sanctus Amor Patriæ dat Animum. A Civic Crown is laid on the Altar, as consecrated to that Man who preserved his Fellow-Citizens and Subjects from Destruction! W 1 The View of WH1 is introduced in the Back Ground, not meerly as an elegant Piece of Architecture, but as it was the Place where 2 suffered, for attempting to invade the Rights of the British Kingdoms: And it is observable, that the Statue and Altar of British Liberty are erected near the Spot where that great Sacrifice was made, through sad Necessity, to the Honour, Happiness, Virtue, and in one Word, to the Liberty of the British People. The Petition of the Congress at New-York, and the Representation of W—H· point out the Time, and almost the Place, where the Speech was delivered. The chief Object of this Design will be answered, if it manifests, in the least, the Gratitude of America to his Lordship. It will, with Tradition, unprejudiced by the Writings of Hirelings, who are made to glide in with the courtly Streams of Falshood, be the faithful Conveyance to Posterity of the Knowledge of those Great Things which we, who are not to be imposed on by "the busy Doings and Undoings" of the envious Great, have seen. Extract of a Letter3 I am pleased.with your Remarks on Mr. Peale's Performance, but wish you had been less sparing of them—A Incident of 1 Whitehall. 3 A broadside measuring 7 in. × 12 in. 2 Charles I. Yesterday affords me Occasion to add to your Remarks: - One of the Mezzotinto's was brought into Company, when all agreed it was Very clever; but some thought it "not like Mr. Pitt." You, my Friend took the fair Side, and remarked only on the Beauties of the Piece - Pray preserve your good Humour from being ruffled by the Objections made by my Companions, and receive what occurs to me on the Subject. Perhaps it was hazardous to offer to the Public a Portrait so unlike the old Pictures, which have been long known among us Very few have Seen any other Representation of the Great Man, and we know how Strongly First Impressions work on the Imagination: And, what is yet more disadvantageous to the Painter, not only First Impressions, but many Years intimate Acquaintance with the old Piece, has probably So fixed that Likeness in the Mind, that, were Mr. Pitt himself to be of a Sudden present, and appear a Contrast to those Pieces, there would not be a total Want of weak Minds, who might even struggle to conceive he was like himself- preferring the Likeness with which they were so intimate. But between the old Copies and the present, I do not see that great Disparity that is pretended: Pray attend to them, and make all due Allowances -Twenty Years between the Drawing the one and the other such Difference in his Age!In the one he is in modern Dress, with Neckcloth, a Wig, and full Suit: In the other, with his natural Hair, a loose Roman Habit, and Neck bare. I am assured that Gentlemen, who had seen the Proof Copy, and among them, Dr. Franklin, thought Mr. Peale's a very good Likeness of the Great Patriot, as he is at this Time worn down with Sickness and Years, and with Fatigue in the Service of his Country. The Pillar at the Back of Mr. Pitt signifies Stability in the Patriot and his Principles. You see the dark lowering Clouds, and disturbed Air, representing the alarming Times; and yet at a Distance, you observe a calmer Sky, tho' not altogether clear — Hope of better Times. DEAR SIR, Copley to John Greenwood BOSTON, Jany. 25, 1771. Your very kind favour of March 23 came to hand and afforded me much pleasure, as by it I learned you were in a situation of all others the most desireable to the Lovers, boath of the fair Sex as well as the arts. I trus[t] you will excuse my not writeing to you sooner, but really my ingagement were so many as to make it some what dificult. No engagement should have hindred me from answering your favour, had I not fully intended to have finished Mrs. Devereux portrait for Capt. Simms to have carried, but was prevented from my design by several surcumstances, the most meterial that of the weither being so very hot as to make it inconvenient for the Old Lady to come to Town, and so the Letter I posponed writeing till Capt. Simms sailed, who promisd to call but I suppose forgot it. But beleave me your nex[t] favour, if I should omit answering so long, I will make a better apology for than this. But trusting in your goodness I will suppose myself acquited this time, and proceed to other matters. First then permit me to congratulate you on your Marriage in which state I sincerely wish you Long Life and all Imaginable happyness. It gives me great pleasure to find the Arts travill[i]ng Westward so fast it gives me hopes they will one Day reach this Country however destitute at present it appears of every affection for them. Your tour through Europe must have affoarded you great pleasure and the more so as you have had so many Capitol Picture[s] in you[r] possession. I should think myself happy in such an oppertunity of contemplating the works of those Renowned Masters. I sincerely rejoice in Mr 7 |