EDITOR OF MAGAZINE OF AMERICAN HISTORY: In the " Washington number" of your Magazine, which I have just read with much pleasure, and in an article over your signature, I find the following. Speaking of the replica of Stuart's full length portrait of Washington, painted for the Marquis of Lansdowne, purchased by Mr. Constable, you say: "It is in perfect preservation at the present time and in the possession of Mr. Constable's grandson, Mr. Henry E. Pierrepont of Brooklyn. Before it was sent to New York, however, Stuart painted a half length Washington from it, which Mr. Constable presented to Alexander Hamilton, and which is now in the possession of that great financier's grandson." The part I have italicized is wholly an error, so far as it confounds the Stuart in my possession with either of the portraits belonging to Mr. Constable. The one I have bears the date "Dec! 1797 " placed on it by Stuart, according to a very common practice of artists. Stuart's bill to Mr. Constable, the original of which I have seen, is as follows. 1796 Nov! to one portrait of said W. 1797 July 4. one of the late President of the United States at full length. 1797 July 4. one do half length. Philadelphia July 13. 1797.” Receipt in full on the Bill signed G. Stuart. This bill shows that all Mr. Constable's pictures, and there seem to have been three, were finished and paid for and no doubt delivered—as Mr. Constable's impatience to have them is clearly shown by his two visits to Philadelphia in his chariot and four to watch their progress-six months before the portrait in my possession was completed. What became of Mr. Constable's two other portraits of Washington I have no means of knowing, but the dates and the bill show clearly that none of them can be confounded with the one in my possession. The picture I have was the gift of Washington to Hamilton, with another interesting object belonging to me, also Washington's gift. Washington had repeatedly called upon Hamilton, when the latter was in private life, for aid in preparing his messages, his Farewell Address, and other important papers, which was fully and freely given, and Washington's letters to Hamilton. contain more apologies for so doing than he ever addressed to any other man. Washington felt the obligation and wished to show his sense of it. Hence the two gifts. This portrait has been in the possession of my grandfather's family for about ninety years, and my grandmother, my father, and the older members of the family spoke of it always as Washington's gift. My father, who was sixteen years of age when his father, General Hamilton died, left it to me by will, and speaks of it as the "Portrait of Washington by Stuart presented to my Father, by General Washington." I cannot suppose that your information came from Mr. Pierrepont, as this explanation has been already made to him. You have probably taken it from the "Life of Gilbert, Stuart," which is inaccurate in this instance, as I hear it is in others. Mr. Constable's family no doubt confounded the portrait with another gift of Mr. Constable to General Hamilton of some interesting French books. IRVINGTON, NEW YORK, January 31, 1888. A.Ramilon. AN UNPUBLISHED WASHINGTON LETTER From the Collection of Mr. William Alexander Smith. [Editor Magazine of American History: The following letter of Gen! George Washington to Gen! Alexander Spotswood, which I believe has never before been published, has a timely application to the present condition of our country and further evidences his strongly patriotic feeling. WM ALEX. SMITH.] D: Sir, Philadelphia 22 Nov! 1798. Your letter of the 13th ins enclosing a publication under the signature of Gracchus, on the Alien & Sedition Laws, found me at this place-deeply engaged in business. You ask my opinion of these Laws, professing to place confidence in my judgment, for the compliment of which I thank you. But to give opinions unsupported by reasons might appear dogmatical ;-especially as you have declared that Gracchus has produced "the rough conviction in your mind of the unconstitutionality and inexpediency of the Acts above mentioned."-To go into an explanation on these points I have neither leisure nor inclination; because it would occupy more time than I have to spare. But I will take the liberty of advising such as are not "thoroughly convinced " and whose minds are yet open to conviction to read the pieces and hear the arguments which have been adduced in favor of, as well as those against the constitutionality and expediency of those Laws before they decide.-And consider to what lengths a certain description of men in our Country have already driven and even resolved to further drive matters; and then ask themselves if it is not time & expedient to resort to protecting Laws against Aliens (for citizens you certainly know are not affected by these Laws) who acknowledge no allegiance to this country, and in many instances are sent among us (as there is the best circumstantial evidence) for the express purpose of poisoning the minds of our people, and to sow [sic] dissentions among them in order to alienate their affections from the Government of their choice, thereby endeavoring to dissolve the Union; and of course the fair and happy prospects which were unfolding to our view from the Revolution. But as I have observed before I have no time to enter the field of Politicks; and therefore shall only add my best respects to the good family at New Port-and the assurances of being, Dr Sir, Your Very Hbl Servant, Go Washington To M' Alexander Spotswood. DEATH OF WASHINGTON Colonel Benj. Tallmadge to Rev. Manasseh Cutler. [Editor Magazine of American History: I enclose a hitherto unpublished letter from Col. Benj. Tallmadge to Rev. Manasseh Cutler, which you will perhaps find of sufficient interest to publish in the Magazine of American History. E. C. DAWES.] Dear Sir, Litchfield Jan. 11. 1800. I have now before me your letter of the 23d ultimo for which I thank you. It is really pleasing to find that people begin to open their eyes to their true interest in the Ohio Company. I have not yet conversed with one person in this State, who appears unfriendly to the plan of opening an Office at Marietta for the Sale of our lands. I have had no letters from R. Island on the subject, but have been informed that they are pursuing similar measures to ours. I have warned a meeting of the Proprietors in this state, to assemble at Hartford on the 29th of this month. I hope and expect a general attendance will be given. I have Gen. Putnam's advice, &c, and by the help of your form of a power of Att', and the Instructions, I hope we shall have the business greatly facilitated. Our Country seems to be clad in real mourning for the loss of our great Benefactor, Patriot and Friend, the illustrious Washington. I can truly say that the loss of my own Father did not so sensibly affect me as has the death of this peerless Man. While he lived, I was fully satisfied that his equal was not on Earth, and since he has died, the public testimony to his worth, has exceeded even the most sanguine expectation. Altho' from a long and tolerably intimate acquaintance with him, I have been abundantly convinced of his attachment to the Christian System; yet had he been explicit in his profession of faith in and dependence on the finished Atonement of our glorious Redeemer for acceptance and pardon, what a conspicuous trait would it have formed in his illustrious character. In removing such high and elevated Personages, from the stage of action, how astonishingly great and glorious does the divine Character appear. Let poor groveling mortals quarrel as they please, his undisturbed Government and purposes roll on, and his whole Counsel shall stand. How perfectly becoming is it for us, and all created intelligences, to be silent and adore; and may God grant us grace to acknowledge him in all his Dispensations, and devoutly to adore his all-wise and superintending Providence. I am, D Sir, sincerely, Rev. M. Cutler. & affectionately Yours, ONE MORE UNPUBLISHED WASHINGTON LETTER [Contributed by George W. Van Siclen, Secretary of the Holland Society.] [Editor Magazine of American History: At the annual dinner of the Holland Society of New York at the Hotel Brunswick, January 10, 1888, among other interesting relics exhibited was the following autograph letter of George Washington, never before published, which may be of interest in view of the Washington number" of the magazine which has just appeared. It belongs to Seymour Van Santvoord, Esq., of Troy, New York, a member of the Society. Enclosed is a copy verbatim et literatim. GEORGE W. VAN SICLEN.] To the Minester Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Prodistant Dutch Churtch of the Town of Schenectady. Gentelmen: place I sincearly thank you for your Comgratulations on my arrival in this Whilst I join you in adoring that supreem being to whome alone can be attrebuted the signel successes of our Arms I can not but Express gratitude to you Gentlemen for so distinguished a testemony of your Regard May the same providence that has hitherto in so Remarkable a manner Evinced the Justice of our Cause lead us to a speady and honourable peace and may I'ts attendant blessings soon Restore this our Florishing place to its former prosperity Schenectady June 30th 1782. VOL. XIX.-No. 3.-18 Go Washington |