Excerpt from William H. Powell’s Historical Picture of the Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto, A. D. 1541: Painted by Order of the United States Government, for the Rotunda of the National Capitol at Washington, With an Examination of the Origin of the Picture, a Brief Biography of Mr. Powell
Several sketches were prepared by the artist and submitted to the judgment of the committee, who unanimously adopted the Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto, as being more important in the magnitude of its results than any other Open to an original pencil. We would here, for a moment, ask the reader’s attention while we rearrange the subject of the eight pictures in the order of time in which they occur, with a view to examine their relative bearings, as intelligible and progressive illustrations of the discovery and historic development of our country.
I. The Landing of Columbus, (which must be considered as the first grand incident in our national history.) II. The Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto which resulted in opening a mighty empire to exploration and civilization, all of which is, or soon will become, a part of our national territory. We have, first, to consider, if this subject is suitable, and in all respects possesses the requisite importance to justify the artist in selecting it in preference to all others Open to his pencil. It would seem that the long line of cities dotting the banks of the Father of Rivers, together with the rushing tide of commerce borne over its bosom in monster crafts driven by the giantpower of steam, and a are the sug answer to all such queries.
III. The Baptism of Pocahontas. IV. The Embarkation of the Pilgrims at Delft Haven. V. The Declaration of Independence. VI. The Capitulation at Saratoga.
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