200 Declaration of Independence. 
Arr. XXII. Notice of Colonel Trumbull’s Picture of the 
Declaration of Independence. 
iE is proper that some mention of this great national work 
should be made, in publications less transient than newspa- 
pers; and as the fine arts are included within the design of 
this Journal, it may with propriety be noticed here. This 
is the greatest work which the art of painting has ever pi 
dued in the United States. The picture is magnificent both 
in size-and in execution. The dimensions of the canvass are 
eighteen feet by twelve. 
« This picture forms one of a series, long since meditated by 
Mr. Trumbull, in which it was intended to represent the most 
important events, civil and military, of the American revolt 
tion, with portraits of the most distinguished actors in the 
various scenes. The materials for this purpose were sa: 
lected many years ago, and two plates have been engi 
from paintings of the deaths of Gen. Warren and Gen. Mont: 
gomery ;* but the work was suspended, in consequence of the 
political convulsions, which, during twenty-five years, were 
fatal to the arts of peace. nee 
_ * The goyernment of the United States have ordered four of a 
the subjects originally proposed by Mr. Trumbull, to be pe 
éd by him,.and to be deposited in the capitol. : 
“No event in human history ever shed a more salutary ad 
fluence over the destinies of so great a mass of mankind: 4 
wisdom of no. political act was ever so soon and so powertll 
demonstrated, by such magnificent consequences- And jist : 
may the nation be proud of the act itself ; and of those eminent : 
men, its authors, whose patriotism (rising above enthusiast 
and the passions which have so often bewildered mankind) * 
calm, dignified, persevering, and always under the guidanc? 
reason and virtue. 
é nd 
* These pictures, as is well known, represent the assault on Quebec; ® 
the battle of Bunker’s Hill. 
~~ 
