GA Gov. George W. Crawford Gets Details of Legislature Backed Painting; Artist Praised
GEORGE W.
CRAWFORD (December 22, 1798-July 27, 1872)
was elected to two terms as Governor of Georgia as a Whig. Crawford shot dead
Thomas Burnside over a series of accusations about Crawford’s father. The
incident had no impact on Crawford’s reputation or his career. He also served
as Georgia state representative, state attorney general, U.S. Congressman and
the Secretary of War under President Zachary Taylor. While he was Secretary of War, Crawford was
involved in settling a claim from the government and received a large share of
the settlement for his services. In the
midst of accusations and Taylor’s death, Crawford resigned from office and
retired from politics for 10 years. He
came out of retirement in 1861 to chair the state secession convention in
Milledgeville.
The writer of our letter is WILLIAM H. CRAWFORD, not the famous
Georgia politician as he died before this letter was written. We find another William H. Crawford of
Americus, GA, who was admitted to the state bar during the July 1846 term of
that court. This could be the writer who writes a rather informative letter of
an artist’s work, possibly a portrait of Gov. Crawford, which was authorized by
the legislature.
2 pp, 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”, ALS by William H. Crawford, Americus, GA, to Gov.
Crawford, April 7th, 1846.
“My Dear Sir
“At the request of our Painter I mite say that he is now engaged in
painting a portrait for exhibition in your city upon which he is willing to
risk his reputation as an artist and to ban his chances of occupying this order
for the painting of the portrait authorized by the last legislature. In relation to what I wrote in my last about
the advance, he says that if he will not be required to frame the picture he
will not need it as it was principally on account of the frame. He needed the
money not being able to make this himself. In relation to the painting, he will
warrant that to be done in the best style and as to the price as I before
stated he is willing to leave that to
yourself or to trust the assembly of the next legislature as he is more [interested]
to paint for fun than money. If you could do so, I would be glad you would not
dispose of the job until Laurens (?) makes profit of his portrait for he has
the ability to do justice to the work in the judgement of those who are capable
of giving more correct opinions than myself. I would be glad to see him try his
hand upon the work.
“The paintings he has executed here are good likenesses as far as I am
capable of judging his painting.
“Laurens (?) painted a number of years in Savannah (at least so he says
& his own account of himself is all I know about him)…
“Yours,
“Wm H. Crawford”
Toning, folds, light soiling and a seal tear with an integral address
leaf to Crawford and docketing.
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