Print of the Declaration of Independence. 169 
Col. Trumbull—himself an actor, (in no inferior situa- 
tion,) in the great scenes which terminated inthe estab- 
lishment of American independence, very early conceived 
the design of preserving the portraits of some of the most 
distinguished men of that period, and of transmitting them 
to posterity, (grouped in strict accordance with historic 
truth) in situations, in which they were real actors. With 
this view, he began to collect materials, while the events 
were still recent, and before death had removed many of 
the illustrious men, who had deliberated in the Senate, or 
contended in the field. In prosecution of his purpose, he 
travelled extensively both in his own country, and in Eu- 
rope, to copy, from the life, the features of the individuals, 
who, while the struggle lasted, were united in council and 
in action, but whom the return of peace had finally sepa- 
rated, and. blended with their families, or with the mass of 
society, in countries, remote from each other. 
If we should not ultimately be gratified, by the entire 
completion of this great original design; and if all the 
portraits that were obtained, and all the interesting scenes 
in which it was intended to combine them, are not to be 
finally exhibited, still; the American people have much 
reason to congratulate themselves, that their government 
has secured for them, and for posterity, pictorial repre- 
sentations of four of the most momentous scenes of the 
revolution, and these (if only four were to be selected) 
are certainly chosen with great good judgment. It is 
scarcely necessary to say, that. they are 
The Declaration of Independence ; 
The surrender of Gen. Burgoyne and his army ; 
The surrender.of Lord Cornwallis and his army ; and 
The resignation of Gen. Washington. 
The first and the last are peaceful scenes,—the calm and 
dignified exhibition of assembled senators, at the com- 
mencement, and at -the close of one of the grandest dra- 
mas, ever esiibited on this globe. The two middle scenes, 
corresponding with the progress of events, are those in 
which the splendors and the terrors of war are veiled by 
the glories of victory ; and victors and vanquished blend- 
ed, in the moment of triumph and of humiliation, exhibit 
nothing of hostile bearing, but the arms and the costume, 
which distinguished their respective nations. Perhaps, 
Vou. VII. No. 1. 29 
