NO . 19 THE CLEMENTS LIBRARY ASSOCIATES SPRING-SUMMER 2003

COMMEMORATION OF WASHINGTON

wo hundred and Washington was a demand ing person for posterit y. Nor did it help that the fifty years ago this to work for. He micro-managed his nex t two genera tions of American s November, with an employees. preferred to think of Washington as eviction notice in hand In publi c. Washington never an ideali zed . god-like figure rather from the Governor of relaxed . He was a commanding pres­ than as a human being. Virginia to the French ence- tall, powerful, and formidable­ To mark the accession of the military commander in western not someone you ever trifled with. recently do nated letter, the Cleme nts Pennsylvani a. twenty-one-year­ Library staff decided to old George Washington dedicate the summe r of launched a career of public 2003 to rem embering George service unsurpassed in Washington. The Director American history. He is one of has mounted a very special those relat ively few indi viduals exhibit entitled "George who perso nally changed the Washington: Getting to course of world events in very Know the Man Behind significant ways. the Image" that will run to Mr. and Mrs. Dav id B. November 21. It draws upon Walters have recently presented remarkable original letters the Clements Library with and document s, both from a marvelous. seven-page letter the Library's co llections and written by George Washington from private sources. It is in 1793. while he was President. Washington's voluminous They will be don ating other literary output-especially material s in the futu re. The his letters, to which we have letter is addressed to the estate much greater access than manager at Mount Vernon. As did ea rlier genera tions - that with many great leaders in his­ prov ides a way to understand tory,Washington paced him self. him as a person. The exhibi t He appreciated the importanc e focus es on examining the of relax ation. Horseback riding, factors that made George taking care of personal corre­ Washington such a uniqu e spondence and acco unts, enter­ person and the personal taining at dinner with good food characteristics that made and conversation. and thinking him the most successful about the Mount Verno n estate leader in American history. were the ways he could "turn it We will also host several off" and restore the energy, compo sure , Among his closest friend s and his fami ­ events associated with the exhibit, and mental sharpness needed to deal 1y he was gentle, indulg ent, and fun to to be announ ced separa tely. with his public life. be with. The pub lic, formal side of the As with most issues of the Mou nt Vernon was a world man is documented by vast quantities of Quarto, we have attempted to serve complete ly his, where he did not have written record s and first-hand descrip­ up a few appetizers on a subje ct that to hold back and be political, but could tion s. The private Washington is less currently interests the staff, based upon indulge his personal enthusiasms to the well recorded. It did not help that the Library 's very substantive collec ­ fullest. He invented all sorts of projects Marth a Washington destroyed the tions on the subject. Should the "hors to improve the farm and its buildings, majority of her personal correspondence doeuvres" tempt any of you, we invite planning each with carefully executed with her husband, or that Gilbert Stuart any and all to co me to the Clements drawings and charts beforehand, meas­ inten tionally emphasized the forbidding and sample the "main course." uring the ir successes afterwards . The qualities of the aged President in the - John C. Donn donated letter documents clearly that portraits most often used to picture him Director ------li)e------SEEING IS BELI EVING THE SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS AS [TNEVER HAPPENED

n October 19th, 178 1, at artistic inte rpretation with a varying emotional state. It would not be sur­ Yorktown. Virginia, British and interesting range of results that prising if he simply co uld not bear to general Earl Corn wallis's recreate. imagine, and interpret the be present. But, for a completel y satis­ surre nder to General George meanin g of the surre nder. fyin g portrayal of this unprecedented Washington signaled that the endgame To be most satisfying to an event, Corn walli s himself had to be in phase of the American Revolution had American audience. the image of the imag e, and that is what we have in begu n. "The World Turned Upside Cornwallis's capitulation had to many early illustrations of the surrender Down" was among the tun es played represent aspects of the American at Yorktown. that day by British regul ars as they point of view, including the tran sition A little American engraving laid dow n their arms in fro nt of the of political power and the stature and fro m The Life ofGeorge Washington by combined American and French forces. dignity of Washington as the representa­ Aaron Bancroft (1826) rings true to the The shocking news of the surrender tive of the new nation. Of course, larger concept of American victory with caused celebration throughout the Co rnwa llis himself could serve as a simplicity and directness but is nothing like what actua lly occurred. We know that British General Charles O'Hara, commander of the Second Battalion of Guards, represented the absent Cornwallis. In a spiteful gesture , O'Hara attempted to surrender Cornwallis' s sword to the French but was directed by Gener al Rochambeau to Washington. American General Benjamin Lincoln , who had surrendered Charleston to Henry Clinton in 1780, was gra nted the privilege of receiving the sword -and the satisfaction of hon­ orably returning it. The engraving from Bancroft's book illustrates British recognition of the now-established American inde­ pendence and power, symbolized by a red-faced Corn wallis giving up his sword directly to a cool and distin­ guished Washington. Co rnw allis faces his mortification alone, his aide turns away, while Washington is supported by a gro up of his officers and French allie s. A very satisfying little print. The Surrender of Cornwallis is the frontispiece ojthe second volume ojAaron Bancroft . Ironically, the Bancroft engraving The Life of George Washington, First President of the United States (Boston. 1826). was based on the work of a British artist, Robert Smirke (1752-1845). United States and despair in Britain. powerful symbol of the defeated British Kin g George 1Il had den ied Smirke Visual images were required to make crown, particularly jf shown as humili­ an appointment as Keeper of the Ro yal the unbelievable believable. ated and frustrated . Yet, from accounts Academy, and it has been speculated Alth ough there are many detailed of the surre nder ceremony, we know that this was an atte mpt to contain the reports of Cornwallis's surrender and that Cornwallis was not there . After spread of the artist's freely expressed many graphic images in paint and ink, ha ving completed the emotionally revolution ary opinio ns. Whether none is a true eyewitness depiction, diffic ult negotiation of surrender terrn s, Smirke 's depiction of Co rnwallis dra wn on the spot. American, French , Corn wallis excused himself from the came from ignorance of the details or Briti sh, and German participants were actual ceremo nial presentat ion of his from deliberate manipulation is unclear. present , along with many spectators, sword to his enemy. He had take n ill, From the other side of the but none is known to have recorded a or was likely too distraught to endure Atlantic, a Briti sh print, engraved picture of the event that finalize d the the proceedi ngs. The opening sentence for Edward Barn ard 's The New, break between the colonies and the of Cornwalli s's letter to his comm ander Comprehensive, Impartial and crown. Th e lack of a definitive eyewit­ in chief, Sir Henry Clinton, uses the Complete History of England (1783), ness illustration opened the door for word "mortification" to describe his contrasts sharply with the previous

PAGE 2 THE O!JARTO example. Barnard 's image gesture of surrender to the partly lives up to its claim Americans? Perhaps the after­ of "Impartiality, Accuracy, glow of a successful French New Improvements, Superior alliance with the Americans Elegance, &c." Although vague resulted in a fairly accurate in some details, it is closer to rendering of the scene. the actual event but farther away Although the characters from the greater concept of are vague, details of uniforms acknowledging the exchange of and stacked anus are crisp and power in America. In Barnard's believable. Once again, a hand-colored engraving the European engraver has deter­ figure of Cornwallis meets mined that an impressive gate Washington with a pride and of a walled Yorktown is the bearing that is at least equal most suitable backdrop for such to that of the conquerors. The an important drama. French, central figure here is the British British, and American heraldic officer, looking not the slightest devices displayed on a palm tree bit mortified, physically greater (a common icon identifying the in stature than the marginal scene as American) represent American. British colors are the key players. As a whole, unfurled, and trumpets are this image is full of life, and the sounding. France is represented redcoat covering his eyes regis­ on the sidelines by a submissive Cornwallis's surrender as it was depicted in Edward ters a classic expression of the figure (Rochambeau) of lesser Barnard's 1783 history oj England. disbelief and shock that victors significance. Elegance, yes. would want to see. Impartiality, no. plenty of happy European-looking Probably the best known and An entertaining and fanciful print celebrants. most accurate image of the surrender by Louis-Joseph Mondhare (circa 1781) Another French point of view is was created by John Trumbull, a former represents a somewhat partisan French presented in a more detailed scene that Continental Army officer and aide-de­ view of the surrender. Those are the provides the title cartouche for Louis camp to Washington. True to facts, Americans, way off in the distant back­ Brion de La Tour's 1782 map of the Washington is not receiving the sword ground on the left, with the resplendent southern theater of the American war. of Cornwallis, nor is he central to the French army lined up in front, nearer to Is it Cornwallis himself who is offering exchange, yet he is clearly presiding the viewer. The triumphant French fleet his sword to Washington, as the illustra­ over the scene from a position of under the Comte de Grasse is prominent tion title implies? Or is it a French dignified superiority, even if in the in the right foreground, and the British officer who is receiving or deferring the background. are spilling out of the formidable citadel that represents Yorktown. Mondhare's The French take center stage in Louis-Joseph Mondhare's circa 1781 depiction oJthe hand-colored etching is one of a series Yorktown surrender. designed for viewing in a "vue d' optique" - a table-top device that expands the illusion of three dimension­ al depth with a large convex lens and mirror. The story told by this celebratory image is of a colossal French victory over an entrenched arch-rival. Oh yes, the Americans were there too. This amazing view is typical of European products created by imaginative artists, who were unfamiliar with American topography. The depiction of a medieval walled "Yorck touwn" would not seem at all far-fetched to residents of fortified European cities. Apparently, the French needed to report a victory over rival Britain badly enough to co­ opt this celebration almost completely. Notable individuals such as Washington are nowhere to be seen, but there are

THE Q!)ARTO PAGE 3 ing the fields at Yorktown. He added Washington 's portrait in New York in February or March 1790. Trumbull's familiarity with the subjec t was unmatched. However, we know that O' Hara was actually on horseback, and General Lincoln was likely facing him. Trumbull sketched more than one variation of the composition before he decided on the final form , which we see here in a late nineteenth-century photogravure print. In spite of John Tr umbull's care­ fully researched and balanced composi­ tion, something is lacking. It is the great satisfaction of seeing Washington grasp the sword directly from his enemy, Cornwallis. There are times when followers need to see their leader and champion with the troph y actually in hand to fully believe and celebrate the reality of the victory. At Yorktow n, this only happened in the fict ion of prints. In some ways, the fanciful small engravings and woodcuts are far more sophisticated and satisfying to an American patriot than all of Trumbull's efforts . - Clayton Lewis Curator ofGraphic Materials

Following the example set by Benjamin West in his "The Death of General Wolfe," Trumbull strove for a combination of realism and immor­ talization in an image. The painting that resulted from his extensive research is accurate in the portraits of the major figure s and generally true to the choreography of the event. But, as an artist of his time, Trumbull's task was twofold. A successful eighteenth-century history painter would be expected to manipu­ late the components of the image to both record the event and, more important, build the legend of the central figure , in this case Washington. If he varied from the literal truth to do so, it is because it was necessary to co mplete the task of commemoration. Prior to the design of his "Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, October 19th, 1781," Trumbull traveled Europe and John Trumbull produced the most accurate impression of the surrender ceremony. though the United States, painting portraits it includes its own artistic licenses. Photogravure print published in 1898 by A.lY. Elson of the major participants and sketc h- & Co. ofBoston.

PAGE 4 THE Q11ARTO A WASHINGTON FAMILY PORTRAIT

f the many paintings and prints to what ponends to be the Potomac a projected year's income of at least of George Washington executed from Mou nt Vernon. $10,000. What attracted so man y sub­ during his lifetime. Edward Savage 's Edward Savage (1761-1817) scribers was a deep affection for the The Washington Family panicularly was a prominent Massachusetts and Washingtons and a gladness that the de lighted the President. The paiutiug Philadelphia painter and engraver, who President could now spend his days and first print, engraved by Savage had previous ly done portraits of George away from the theater of war, surround­ and David Edwiu (1776-1841), were and Manha and her grandchildren ed by his family and pursuing agricul­ a decade in the making. They depict around 1790. But it was not until his ture and the other arts and scie nces that Washington seated at a table with his collaboration with David Edw in, a had always motivated him . This was a wife, Martha, surruunded by her grand­ skilled stipple engraver, that the print change in occupation shared by many children , Geo rge Washington Parke of the family was first published in who had followed Washington's lead Custis and Elea nor Parke Custis. and Philadelphia in 1798 by Savage and in the struggle for de mocra cy. their servant William Lee. Robert Wilkinson. The original Savage The Washington Family print The scene is one of dome stic painting is today at the Nationa l Gallery has been much copied since its initial tranquility and studiousness. All are ofAn in Washington. publication. Variations have incl uded relaxed. with Washington dressed in The print was an instant success. changes in the seating arrangement , the his uniform, his sword and hat on the The Washington family was sent four exclusion of George and Eleanor Custis, table atop a map of Washington, D.C., copies: three black-and -white glass­ and of William Lee. Variations in the to which Martha points with her fan. framed engravings, which the President map on the table range from a quasi­ Young George Custis casually supports subscribed for. and a color print, which Mount Vernon-Potomac setting to a one of the President's arms on his left was presented as a gift to Martha loose street plan of Washin gton, D.C. shoulder while holding a compass Washington . In a letter to Washingto n above a globe with his right hand. on June 3, 1798, Savage reponed a A bove: The Washington family as Eleanor Custis looks on between them , subscri ption list of 33 1 based ou a engraved by John Sartain and published while William Lee stands attentively in twenty-day news paper advertisement, as a mezzotint by William Smith of the background. The curtains are open a previo us list of 100 subscri bers, and Philadelphia.

THE Q1JARTO PAGE 5 Among the more gifted reproductions 1813, the poem is prefaced with THE Father ofhis People sits the has been a mid-nineteenth-century a detailed description of the print. Chief; mezzotint by John Sartain (1808-1897), "Many respectable familie s have, as Around him group 'd his family illustrated here, and an 1865 engraving an ornament to the parlour, a handsome appears by bis son William Sartain (1843-1924) Plate, representing the 'Family of The colorin gs are joy succeeding grief, after a copy of a painting by Christian Washington .' They are grouped around With smiles and blisses superseding Schuessele. Another interesting varia­ a large table, on which rests a Map, tears. tion is a carte-de-visite photograph of with particular delineations, the He has retumed-The HERO is at horne; a painting or engrav ing in the Currier­ General's Military Hat, Sword, &c.; All hearts are gladden'd, in the pleas­ Macombs Photograph Division of the Lady Washington and Miss Custis, a ant scene ; Clements Library. grandchild, are on the left, a servant in The Map-the Globe, like pictur 'd The earliest version of The the back ground; Master Custis stands views in ROME ,* Washington Family print even inspired at the side of Washington , resting Display terrific warfare -all serene. a metrical effusion during a time of his hand on a Globe, listening to the national crisis as the United States General , who occupies the right, in There sits the bosom friend of Vernon 's and Britain clashed in the War of 1812. the front ground of the piece. It is shades; Washington , as the revered father of adjudged a good representation ; and There list'ning, with delight, the his country, was just the symbol to in a recent party, becoming a subject grand-son stands represent American values and inspire of notice, a gentleman from Boston, There the domestics, in their diff 'rent confidenc e in its cause. Published in on a visit to this city, wrote in answer, grades, the Baltimore Patriot of March 20, the following interesting description:" Wait on their lord's affectionate commands: This carte-de-visite photograph places the members ofthe Washingtonfam ily There the fair pledge of fond affection in a single group. VIews The varied battle scenes, along the Chart ; Paints where the Victors gain - the Vanquish'd lose, And notes the "Times of Trial," to the heart. All listen, with emotion, to the CHIEF; The eye- the ear, in rapt attention, move; An Eight Years' Hist 'ry is'portray'd, in brief, Exciting veneration, joy, and love. The laurel 'd Victor, with complacent smiles, With cheering hopes, and patriotic flame , Kens the bright future, through th' arduous toils, Which give his country an ILLUSTRIOUS NAME. Thus group'd are VIRTUES, and domestic BLISS, Exalted WORTH and HONORS peerle ss won: A FAMILY belov'd-c-belov'd for this­ The scene is Vernon 's Mount - The Hero -WASHINGTON.

* The science of geography was a favorite study of the venerable Washington. - John C. Harri man Assistant Editor CRAFTING GEORGE AND MARTHA

Daniel Huntington's interpretation of one ofMartha Washington 's Friday evening "Drawing Rooms," pa inted in 1861 and produced as a steel engraving b ' Alexander H. Ritchie in 1866.

o sooner had title be?Should he continue his role Vice-President John Adams belie ved George Washington as a general? Should he meet with the that "state and pomp" were necessary : been inaugurated as the first public at all, or would it be better to "neither dignity, nor authority, can be president of the new republic than seclude himself? supported in human minds collected peopl e started arriving at his private res­ All eyes, foreign and domestic, into nations...without a splendor and idence in New York, which was also the were turned tow ard the newl y formed maji sty [sic]." Ardent Federalists seat of the executive office. In a letter republic and its leader. In earl y May, argued for regal-sounding titles like to David Stuart , Washington wrote that 1789, soon after his inauguration, His Excellency, His Highness, Serene from breakfast until bed time ,"I cou ld Washington sent his Federalist advisers Highness, or His Serene Highness the not get relie ved from the ceremony of nine questions regarding the "line of President of the United States. Anti ­ one visit before I had to attend to anoth­ conduct to be pursued by the president." Federalists were adamantly oppose d er." Some were well-wishers, others In closing, he warned that small matt ers to such titles and anything that hinted sought jobs or came with business mat­ that seem insignificant "may have great of royalty or aristocracy. They argued ters, but the steady flow of traffic was and durable consequences." If a good that the Revolution was fought to rid a problem that had to be addressed at system were created at the beginning, it the country of mona rchs, nobility, and once. would be easier "than to correct errors courtly behavior. Washington did not know what or alter inconveniences after they shall Washin gton him self held to a he should do. No policies had been have been confirmed by habit. " midd le ground. He and his wife were put in place regarding official protocol , Alexander Hamilton's respon se members of the Virginia gentry and etiquette, titles, public receptions, and was that it was the "primary object that were familiar with elegan ce and impec­ state functions. One of his immediate the dignit y of the office should be sup­ cable manners, but they had lived sim­ concerns was scheduling. He needed ported." Robert Living ston , chancellor ply at Mount Vernon, surrounded by time set aside to receive people, time of New York, thought that Washington friends and family. Washington wrote for private affairs, and time to conduct should be more reserved and distant Catherine Macaulay Graham that his the business of government. He also than he had been as a general and wife felt as he did about "simplicity of wanted clear guidelines for an appropri­ should give no formal dinners , return dress, and everything which can tend to ate presidential image. What should his any visits, nor accept formal invitations. support propriety of character without

THE QlJARTO PAGE 7 partaking of the follie s of luxury and haughtyness. grave without austerity." guests were brought in and introduced ostentation." Washington was loathe to No pomp or ceremony was to her. she rose and curtsied . The ladies return to public life and diffident about required at the levees or dinners, but returned their curtsies and the men their the role he should play, but he knew protoco l dictated that the President bows. The ladies were then seated in a that the first president had to set a stan­ bow instead of shake hands. He semi-circle to her right, and the gentle­ dard. "In our progress towards polit ical dressed formally in civi lian clothes men either stood or were seated next happiness. my station is new; and , if I made of imported black velvet (rather to their wives. If Mary Morris, wife of may use the expression, I walk on than uative broadcloth), yellow gloves, the financier Robert Morri s, or Abigail untrodden ground. There is scarcely Adams, wife of the Vice President, were any part of my conduct weh. may not prese nt, they were seated immediately hereafter be drawn into precedent." to the right of Martha Washington. In the end, a deci sion of Refreshments of coffee, plum cakes. neutrality was made; the President whipped syllabub, ice cream, and and his wife would be referred lemonade were served. Martha. to as "President and Mrs. like her husband, was dignified Washington," and they would but unassuming. George, as conduct themselves in a dig­ a guest at his wife 's levee , nified but mode st manne r; was dressed formal ly but they would be reserved but did not carry his dress accessible. Regarding his sword and cocked hat. schedule with the public, Perhaps the best he and his advisers description we have of agree d that the President these Drawing Rooms would return no visits is from a letter in the nor accept any visitors, Duane N. Diedrich other than those on offi­ Collection of the cial busine ss, with the Clements Library. It exception of three occa ­ was written by Moses sions during the week Everett. who went to when the Washingtons both levees when he was would be available to in Philadelphia on a busi- greet people. ness trip in December 1796, On Tuesda ys, at the end ofWashington's Washington would receive gen­ second term. tlemen at his house from 3:00 to "When we entered she 4:00 for a levee, or recept ion. On was seated with about 20 or thirty Friday evenings from 8:00 to 10:00 , Ladies placed on her right- seats Martha Washington would host a simi­ were provided for the gentleme n by lar levee, called a "Drawing Room," the side of them so as nearly to form a for ladies and gentlemen. Both levee s semicircle in the room .The President were open to the public, without invita­ was there & took a seat beside the tion, but the attendees were required to silver knee and shoe buckles, a dress gentlemen or Ladies as it happened & wear formal dress. A formal state din­ sword in a white leather scabbard. his conversed with individuals on common ner. by invitation only, was to be held hair in full powder and pulled back in a topics-Judge Livermore co nducted me on Thursday evenings from 4:00 to silk bag, and a cocked hat carried under to her Ladyship. she rose & made her 6:00. Washington, a stickler for punctu­ his ann. At the President's levee, the curtsy & I my bow as well as I could ­ ality, insisted that dinner begin prompt ­ guests were met at the door and ushered He then conducted me to the President ly at 4:05, giving those with different into the drawing room . where they were who gave me his hand & directed me watch times a grace period of 5 min­ instructed to form a circle. The to a seat- we tarried about half an hour utes. This system, instituted early, President then walked arou nd the circle in which time coffee & tea cakes. Whip lasted throughout his admin istration. and talked to each gentleman for a few Sylubab, Lemonade &c were served The etiquette for these three minute s, after which, he wrote to David round & we retired with Litt le or no social occasions was prescribed. The Stuart, they "come and go, chat with ceremony," dignity of office , not Washington 's own each other, and act as they please," and Though the levees had their disposition, determined protocol. His retire "without ceremony." critic s- some thought they were too demeanor could not be too formal, nor Martha Washington's Drawing formal even to the point of mimicking could it be too casual. Abigail Adams Rooms for ladies as well as gentlemen royalty, others that they were not royal captured the President 's image perfe ct­ were more sociable, but full dress was enough- they were extreme ly popular. ly: "He is polite with dignity, affable still required. Mrs. Washington sat The eve nts succeeded not only in mak­ without familiarity, distant without on a sofa beside the firep lace, and as ing the President visible to the public

PAGE 8 THE Q!)ARTO but in allowing time in his schedule to Washington, or Lady Washington s and heroines-the gra nder the better -s­ conduct the business of the executive Recep tion, it was meantto be a repre­ who evoked patriotic sentiment. office. sentation of her Friday night Drawing Would Washington have approved Such was the image that Rooms. of Huntington's fanciful painting of his Washington and his advisors crafted Huntirigton packed sixty-four wife's levee if it helped to create feel­ for the president of the new republic. figures into his painting, all known and ings of national unity for a country No one, least of all Washington, had famo us peop le of the time, including divided against itself! George and the slightest idea how much this image the Duke of Kent and Louis Philippe Martha's fonde st desir e in 1789 was would change as subsequent genera­ d'Orlean s, the future king of France, that he not assume the office of tions reinvented him. who arepaying court to Lady President, but that they retire to Mount In the years before the first banles Washington. She is standing on a dais, Vernon and live there happi ly for the of the Civil War, when sectionalism illuminated in white, as though a spot­ rest of their lives. But Washington, was threatening the Union. the nation light shone on her, while the rest of the who always put the public good ahead needed a reaffirma tion of its identity. room is more subdued. The drawing of his personal happiness. knew he was Historical artists reached the height room in Huntington's picture, more like the most popular hero in the United of their popu larity, painting important a ballroom, is much gra nder than the States after the war, and was probably persons orevents that stirred nationalis­ smaller eig hteenth-century dra wing the best perso n to draw together the still tic feelings. The Washingtons, as icons rooms in the Washingtons' houses in fragile confederation of "united" states. of the Republic, were favorite subjects. New York and Philadelphia, and the He was willing to conduct himself in Anyone looking at the huge, 5 1/2 by actualrooms did not have marble the best way necessary to serve this 9-foot painting of Martha Washin gton 's columns or statues on pedestals. higher purpose. We are cynical now Drawing Room, completed in 186 1 by Nothing about the picture is histori cally about presidential handlers, image-mak­ Daniel Huntington, would be struck by accurate, except for the people, who at ers, and spin doctors, but the craft of the aristocratic setting and the majesty one time or another probably attended making and remaking presidents and of the first lady, referred to as Lady one of Mrs. Washington's levees. their wives is as old as the Republic. Washington by Huntington. Entitled Huntington created an image that - Barbara DeWolfe The Republican Court in the Time of appealed to a public in need of heroes Curator ofManuscripts

A recipe for "whip syllabub, .. a popular refreshment at Mrs. Wash i ng t on :~ receptions. From the manuscript notebook ofSusan F. Berry, / 793.

THE Q1fARTO PAGE 9 THE DEATH OF WASHINGTON

he news that George at home, bui in the afternoon he went bloodletting, Bleeding was common Washington had died on outside to mark trees for removal even practice at the time for almost any Saturday, December 14, though he had complained of a sore ailment. Learquickly dressed. went 1799, was of great interest throat. Later that evening, despite his to the President's room. found him to the whole world, where his throat. he read aloud from the newspa­ gasping for breath and almost unable name was legendary. At his pers to Lear and Mrs. Washington, and to speak. After consulting Mrs. deathbed was Tohias Lear, pri- Washington. he wrote a note vate secretary to the President summoning Dr. James Craik, since 1785, a Harvard graduate Washington's friend and of considerable intelligence physician from nearby and experience. The account Alexandria. Meanwhile, a that Lear wrote in his journal syrup of molasses, vinegar, is the primary evidence we and butter was prepared and have for what actually hap- administered, but the patient pened. and the original copy "could not swallow a drop. of that account rests in the Whenever he attempted it, Clements Library. Mr. he appeared to be distressed. Clements bought it in 192 1 convulsed, and almost from the estate of William suffocated." F. Havemeyer through the Mr. Rawlins arri ved agency of Joseph Sabin. a soon after sunrise and pre­ great American bibliographer pared to bleed Washington. and book dealer. Clements Rawlins was "agitated," regarded it as one of the and the President told him jewels of his collection. to calm down and go ahead. Lear's admiration for Although the President told Washington was unbounded, Rawlins the incision was too and in describing the great small. in fact his arm bled man's death he was at pains freely. Mrs. Washington. to adapthis narrative to the unsure whether bleeding was heroic stature enjoyed by the right remedy. begged that Washingtonworldwide. not too much blood be taken. He wrote it the day after and asked Lear to stop it. Washington 's death and later Tobias Lear (1762-/8/6) In tum, the President. raising copied and revised it into his his hand. stopped Lear. and diary. which is owned by the Historical discussed public affairs. Lear when the flow of blood slowed, croaked Society of Pennsylvania. This revised reported that the President declined out the single word "more." With version contains some information not any remedies for his ailment, which Washington insisting and his wife found in the original journal. The edi­ he assumed to be a cold."Let it go objecting, about half a pint was tors of the recently completed publica­ as it came," were his words. When removed altogether. tion of The Washington Papers printed he retired for the night at about nine. Mrs. Washington asked Lear both the journa l and the diary accounts he "appeared in perfect health, except­ to send for Dr. Gustavus Brown, who as a single document. leaving it to the ing the cold... which he considered as lived just across the Potomac at Port biographers and historians to sortout triffling ... .and had been remarkably Tobacco, Maryland. But Dr. Craik any discrepancies between the two. chearful all the evening." was the first to arrive, soon afternine Whal is known beyond doubt is But late in the night. between o'clock. Lear had been gently bathing that Washington. with Lear. had ridden two and three , he awakened his wife the Presidents's throat and wrapping his out on Thursday. December 12, to Martha. and told her he was "very neck in flannel, butCraik ordered more inspect his farms, as was his habit. unwe ll. and had had an ague" - an bleeding, blistering the throat. and The weather turned ugly. with cold uncontrollable chill. She saw he had inhalations of steam from a teapot of wind, rain, snow, and sleet, but difficu lty speaking and breathing. but vinegar and hot water. Craik also pre­ Washington was determined to finish he would not let her call a servant, fear­ pared a gargle of sage tea and vinegar, his rounds. When they returned after ing that she would catch cold herself. but when Washington put his head back about five hours, Washington went But at daybreak, when a maid came to he gagged and almost suffocated. into dinner still wearing wet clothes. start the fire in his room. he told her to At about eleven o'clock Craik Next day. bad weather kept him call Mr. Rawlins, an overseer skilled in sent for his Alexandria colleague, Dr.

PAGE 10 THE Q1JARTO President Washington died in the privacy ojMount Vernon, jar from the center ofnational affairs. No state funeral was possible, or desired by the jamily, but an elaborate commemoration took place in Philadelphia on December 26, 1799. From William Birch & Son, The City of Philadelphia (1800).

Elisha Dick, who arrived about three, be fatal," telling him to and Dr. Brown soon after. Bleeding look after his accounts continued, but the flow was slow and and papers- "you know seemed "very thick." Craik had also more about them than given Washington an emetic, which pro­ anyone else." duced an evacuation of his bowels but Between five and no improvement in his condition. The six o'clock, when the doctors consulted outside the room, and doctors returned, decided to administer another emetic, Washington was able which did not help. to sit up and say, "I feel After four in the afternoon myself going, you had Washington asked Lear to bring his better not take any more wife to his bedside, and told her to trouble about me; but let bring him the two wills from his desk. me go off quietly; I can­ After looking at them, he handed one not last long." When the to her and told her to burn it and put the other one away. When Lear returned to the bedside and took his hand, the President managed to say, "I find I am A whimsical carte-de-visite going, my breath cannot continue long, depicting the tomb and I believed from the first attack it would shade oj Washington.

THE Q1JARTO PAGE 11 The late President Washingtons Mount Vernon in one ofits earliest depictions. Drawn by Alexander Robertson and published in London by F. Jukes on March 3/, 1800.

PAGE 12 THE CWARTO other doctors withdrew, he told his old perform a tracheotomy- a direct inci­ failed to save his great friend, George friend Craik,"Doctor I die hard, bnt I sion in the windpipe- to open an air Washington. am not afraid to go." At ten o'clock the passage. But the latter procedure was - Arlene Shy doctors returned and, perhaps desperate controversial and he was overruled, Eme ritus Head ofReader Services for a remedy, blistered his legs and feet. though Dr. Brown agreed with him Lear remained while Washington, about excessive bleeding. In the end, - Joh n Shy "very restless, constantly changing his Dr.Craik ruled, and would regret to Prof essor Emeritus of History position to endeavor to get ease," the end of his own life that he had seemed to breathe a little easier after the blistering. At about ten o'clock, after several attempts, he managed to A patriotic carte-de-visite unites the Republic's two greatest heroes. say to Lear, "I am just going, Have me decently buried, and do not let my body be put into the Vault in less than two days after I am dead." Soon afterward, Lear spoke to Dr. Craik who had been sitting by the fire, and the doctor came to the bedside. The two men stood by as the great man died "without a struggle or a Sigh!" Mrs. Washington asked, "Is he gone?" Lear could not speak, but held up his hand in an affirmative gesture. "Tis well," she said, "I shall soon follow him." Lear added to his account that she had been seated at the foot of the bed while servants passed in and out during the day. One of them, Christopher, had remained standing in the room throughout the day until Washington, sometime in the afternoon, told him to sit down. At the end it was Christopher who told a grief-stricken Lear to retrieve the keys from the President's pocket. At midnight the body was brought downstairs, and on Wednesday, December 18, it was buried. Doctors who have reviewed the evidence conclude that Washington suf­ fered a severe infection of the epiglottis, I at the base of the tongue. Rapid swelling is painful, frightening, and obstructs the airways. But acute I epiglottitis may not have killed him. The repeated bleeding, perhaps as much I as three liters of blood removed, may have put him into hypovolemic shock, and the emetics further deprived him of precious fluids. Dehydration and hem­ orrhage, direct results of his medical treatment, were probably the immediate cause of death. Craik, Brown, and Dick, his three doctors, were capable, responsible men who were guided by the medical knowledge of their day. By their own subsequent accounts it appears that Dr. Dick had objected to T nt.t'rel\, ft('!"(>nHn~ te Act (~i Coueress, in the vear 1~~(;;. hi" J. A. ,Arfhm.'lin tha- t C1Hkl~ (lL\'~ d lhe nl,tnd (',PH{ f"r til" \';.;,,"'l

THE Q1IARTO PAGE 13 THE PHILADELPHIA WHITE HOUSE

e imposing ballroom in Daniel Huntington 's 1861 composition, The Rep ublican Court in the Time of Washington , no doubt impressed audiences that viewed it 65 years after the fact. By that time, the Republic had all the official trap­ ping s of government, including a grand residence for its executive. The public room s of the White House , although not as lavish as that imagined by Huntington, provided appropriate space for the pomp and ceremony sur­ rounding even an elected head of state. The White House was not, of course, the first residence of Ameri ca 's President. George Washington occupied two different houses while Congre ss met in New York City. Then, from 1790 until 1800, Philadelphia was the seat of government. Washington and his successor, John Adams, resided there until Adams became the first to Neither President Washington nor President Adams chose to occupy the very fo rmal house erected occupy the official residence in the new fo r their use in Philadelphia. From William Birch & Son 's 1800 collection ofviews ofthe city. city of Washington. Philadelphians were not inclined to meekl y relinquish of the first two presidents, neither of it from Robert Morris, but the place the honor of hosting the nation's capital. whom wished the capital to remain in had seen other distinguished occupants Despite firm plans for a federal city Philadelphia. since its construction in 1767. Richard on the banks of the Potomac, the city Instead, Washington rented a Penn, lieutenant governor of the colony, undertook construction of an enonnous smaller house, though still one of lived there before the Revolution. house for the chief executive as part of Philadelphia's grandest. It was located During the war it served as headquarters an effort to entice Congress to remain in on the south side of Market Street for British general William Howe and their town. Located on Ninth Street, the between Fifth and Sixth, a block from American general Benedict Arnold building was never occupied by either Independence Hall. Washington rented before his treason. Morri s bought the house after it had been damaged by fire in 1780 and later offered it as a tempo­ rary residence for the President. John Adams subsequently lived in the house for three years before moving with the government to Washington , DC, in 1800. The former presideutial residence was then converted to a hotel, but the establishment was not a success. The building languished, and much of it was demolished in 1832. Parts of the walls stood until 1951. The site is today within the boundaries of Independence National Historical Park. ~ Brian Le igh Dunnigan Curator of Maps and Head of Research & Publications

No contemporary view ofthe Robert Morris House survives. This rendering was produced fo r John F. Watson s Annals of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, 1830).

PAGE 14 THE Q1JARTO WASH INGTON'S UNIQ!)E AUTO G RAPH

or the sake of posterity, it is fortunate that George Washington was a nationally famous man from the moment he took command of the Continental Army in 1775 until his death a quarte r of a century later. Recipients saved most of the let­ ters and documents he signed. Washington autographs were prized and highly collectahle even during his lifetime. Part of the attraction is the handwriting itself. During the course of the I750s, Washington tran sformed a fairly commonplace manner of writing into one of the most distinc­ tive autographs in history. Although fluid and artistic, there is nothing casual about it. It would have to have involved careful calculation and practice to perfect, The eminent French statesman and author Francois Guizot edited Washington 's letters in the middle of the nine­ teenth century. He was intrigued by the changing hand writing and publi shed this series of facsimilies. What was George Washington tellin g us about himself in the way he penned his letters and his name? Your guess is as good as that of anyo ne else!

ANNOUNCEMENTS RUTH BRIGGS HOYT-DONOVAN Library 's holdin gs. The successful applicants POLICE GAZETTE VIDEO are all expected to visit the Clements before On April 24-27, 2003, the Library was The Library was saddened by the recent demi se the end of Decem ber. of Ruth Briggs Hoyt-Donovan (1933-2003) of transformed into a theater, the stage for Deborah Allen, Rutgers University, for her Elk Rapids, Michigan, a long-term friend and an immensely successful original musical. dissertation, " 'To Measure and Describe the enthusiastic member of the Clements Library Written by Joan Morris and based loosely Whole Globe of the Earth' : Geog raphical Associates Board . Formerly a resident of upon the Library's prized publisher 's file Writing and Imperial Enterpri se in North Bucks County,Pen nsylvania, she reinvigorated of the somewhat scandalous National Police America. 1700-1815." a connection betwee n the Clements and the Gazette, ''The Police Gazette, An Original University of Michigan Alumni Club of Caleb Crain, indepe ndent scholar, for his Musical Drama" sold out four performances. Philadelphia that began in the 1920s. With a book,"Ned v. Kate: The Divorce of Edwin The cast included such notables as prizefighter background as a teacher, librarian, and elected and Catharine Forrest." John L. Sullivan, singer-performers May Irwin , office holder, she encouraged the Clements to Car l Rob er t Keyes, Johns Hopkins University, Lillian Russell, and Tony Hart, journali st Nelly expand its "outreach" activities to the general for his dissertation, "Advertising and the Bly, Gazette editor Richard K. Fox, and even publ ic. She will be missed, but long and fond­ Commercial Co mmunity in Eighteenth-Century Buffalo Bill Cody. There were seventeen turn­ ly remembered. Philadelph ia." of-the-century songs, each of them memorable and wildly popular in their day but rarely Robert G. Parkinson , University of Virginia, performed today. for his dissertation, "Enemies of the State : For those who missed it, were too PRI CEVISITING The Revoluti onary War and Race in the New distant to attend. or who might like to see RESEARC H FELLOWS H IPS American Nation." it again, we are pleased to make available a We are pleased to announce the award of six Dr. David Ryd en , University of Houston, for VCR ($20 postpaid) or DVD ($25 postpaid) Jacob M. Price Visiting Research Fellowsh ips his book,"' Producing a Peculiar Community' : for your private entertainment. The offer for the 2003 calend ar year. These grants pro­ The British West Indian Sugar Industry and is made exc lusively to individual (vs. institu­ vide support for graduate students and junior Slave Society on the Eve of Abolition." tional ) members of the Clemen ts Library facuity whose research will benefit from the Colleen A. Vasconcellos, Florida International Associates. If you wish to order a copy. collections of the Clements Library. This University, for her dissertation, " ,And a Chi ld call 734-764-2347 and ask for Shneen year's field of applicants was very competitive, Shall Lead Them?': Slavery, Childhoo d, and Coldiron. Payment may be made by repre senting a wide range of topics in history African Cultural Identity in Jamaica, 1750­ credit card or check . and literature that reflect the diversity of the 1838."

THE Q1JARTO PAGE 15 CALENDAROF EVE NTS

February 24 - November 21: Exhibit, George Washington: Getting to Know the Man Behind the Image.

April 24 - 27: The Police Gazette. An originalmusical program directed by Joan Morris.

Ma y 6: Clements Library Associates Board of Directors meeting.

May 18: Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair. Michigan Union, 11 :00 a.m. ­ 4:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 per person. Proceeds of the fair benefit the Clements Library.

May 20: Clements Library Associates Field Trip to Jackson and Marshall.

October 1 - January 15,2004: Applications accepted for 2004 Price Visiting Research Fellowships. Awards will be announced by March IS, 2004.

November 24 - April 30, 2004: Exhibit, Creatures Great and Small : Americans' Love Affair with Animals .

CENTENNIAIJ . n16·j816 rpHILADELPHIA U.S.A.. ,

PAGE 16 T HE CWARTO