John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to Egbert Benson, 31 March 1792

To Egbert Benson

New York 31 March 1792

My good Friend

I have had the pleasure of seeing Senr. Ceracchi, & his model of a monument in Honor of the Revolution.1 The Design appears to me to be a noble one—worthy of the attention of the U.S., and honorable to the Taste & Talents of the artist.— It cannot fail of being interesting to all who contributed to the Revolution, and to that glorious Triumph of Liberty which it exhibited, and which well deserves a magnificent monument. The ancient Republics, to whose ^very^ Imperfections we are sometimes partial, afford Precedents. Why should not the Congress adopt and carry this Design into Execution? The Expence—for my part I think the Expence proper, and therefore confide in the Sense & Sentiment of the public. If the money was now to be provided, the measure would be unseasonable on account of the indian war. That obstacle will be of short Duration. We need not begin the monument this Year. To adopt the Plan will cost nothing— The work must necessarily be long on Hand, and consequently ^as^ the Expence will be gradually incurred, & ^so also it will be^ gradually defrayed— an annual Sum ^The Sum annually requisite^ can be but small compared with the Object and ^with^ our Resources.

Altho it would better become the nation than Individuals Subscribers to undertake it; yet provided the nation adopt the Plan ^assume the Task^, the aid of Subscriptions ^& even State Donations^ might if necessary be recurred to— If you would say, it shall be begun as soon as money to a certain amou ^sum^ is subscribed, there is Reason to believe it would soon be raised ^be subscribed^. Part of the monies to arise from the Sale of Land in the fœderal City, might be assigned to this use— Donations from the several States might be recommended and would probably be granted— If the ways and means be referred to ^Col^ Hamilton he will indicate the most pro eligible. His official Station His Information, as well & Talents wd. render it proper—

The Gentleman who formed the Design, will be the most proper Person to execute it— another artist would not feel the same Degree of Interest in it— nor is it certain that another of equal Talents could easily be had.

As to his Reward— it is a matter which I think should not at present be contemplated. Let the work be finished, and then make him such an acknowledgmt. as would become the nation on the one hand and him on the other.

Portrait bust of John Jay, by Giuseppe Ceracchi, c. 1792. (Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States)

I can concieve of no other Rule on such occasions and in Relation to such Objects.

I confess to you that the Effect which this measure would naturally have on the Feelings of the Presidents ^Feelings^ is with me a powerful ^an additionally Strong^ Inducement— we shall not be reproached for letting him dye by the Hands of an Executioner, or— in chains—^or^ in Exile—^or^ in neglect or ^&^ Disgrace [illegible] as many greek and roman Patriots died— on the contrary we shall be commended throughout all Generations for the part we have hitherto acted respecting him. [illegible]-^It is only while he lives that we can have the ple Satisfaction of offering^ well chosen ^the fruits of well earned^ ^of [rational?]^ Gratitude and affection reserve them for Posterity to bestow merely on his memory and his Tomb ^to his Enjoyment^ ^but posterity can have only the pensive pleasure of strewing Flowers on his Grave^ Yours affecty.

John Jay

The Honb. E. Benson Esqr.

Dft, NNC (EJ: 07519).

1Benson served on a congressional committee appointed on 11 Apr. 1792 to consider Guisseppe Ceracchi’s (1751–1801) memorial of 31 Oct. 1791 proposing a monument to perpetuate the memory of American liberty. On 7 May 1792 the House of Representatives adopted the committee’s report declaring that the proposal “might not be expedient” at that time because of the expense required. Efforts to raise the amount by private subscription failed, and the monument was never erected. PGW: PS description begins Dorothy Twohig et al., eds., The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series (19 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1987–) description ends , 9: 132–35. Ceracchi, an Italian born sculptor who was also active in London, made two trips to the United States, in 1791–92 and 1794–95. During this time, he executed over thirty portrait busts of American statesmen, including AH, GW, and JJ. Oxford Art Online.

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