226 Trumbull Gallery of Paintings in Yale College. 



No. 7. — Battle of Princeton, — original composition (partly 

 finished) of No. 23. When the size of the intended copper-plates 

 was determined, the artist resolved in his future pictures to adopt 

 the size of those plates, as being more convenient to the engraver. 

 This picture, which is the same size as the Bunker's Hill and 

 (Huebec, and much larger than the copper-plates, is placed in the 

 collection, to explain to future artists the manner of proceeding 

 with the work : they will see that the ground was white on which 

 the work was first merely sketched, — then faintly stained with 

 positive colors, — and finally, each head and figure carefully fin- 

 ished from nature. 



No. 8. — Five Heads of Ladies. Oil Miniatures. 



Miss Harriet Wadsworth, 1792. 



Miss Faith Trumbull, 1791. 



Mrs. Faith Trumbull, Lebanon, Conn., 1791. 



Miss Catharine Wa.dsworth, 1791. 



Miss Julia Seymour, 1791. 



No. 9. — Declaration of Independence. — July 4, 1776. 



To preserve the resemblance of the men who were the authors 

 of this memorable act, was an essential object of this painting. Im- 

 portant difficulties presented themselves to the artist at the outset; 

 for although only ten years had then elapsed since the date of the 

 event, it was already difficult to ascertain who were the individuals 

 to be represented. Should he regard the fact of having been ac- 

 tually present in the room on the 4th of July, indispensable ? 

 Should he admit those only who were in favor of, and reject those 

 who were opposed to the act ? Where a person was dead, and 

 no authentic portrait could be obtained, should he ^dmit ideal 

 heads ? These were questions on which Mr, Adams and Mr. Jef- 

 ferson were consulted, and they concurred in the advice, that with 

 regard to the characters to be introduced, the signatures of the 

 original act, (which is still preserved in the office of state,) ought 

 to be the general guide. That portraits ought, however, to be 

 admitted, of those who were opposed to, and of course did not 

 sign, as well as of those who voted in favor of the Declaration, 

 and did sign it, particularly John Dickinson, of Delaware, author 

 of the Farmer's Letters, who was the most eloquent and powerful 

 -opposer of the measure ; not indeed of its principle, but of the 



