On August 4, 2011, the Rare Books and Special Collections Department was given a generous donation of a John Carlin painting. John Carlin, born deaf in 1813 became a celebrated landscape and portrait painter in the 1830s and 1840s in the United States. This painting captures Carlin’s young daughter, whom he named after his friend, William Henry Seward’s wife, Frances Seward. William Henry Seward served in the United States Senate as a member of the Whig Party from 1830 to 1834 with the support of those like Thurlow Weed. Seward supported Carlin and his artistic talents.

In addition to the Carlin painting, the donors also sent our department a letter written by Thurlow Weed to the Honorable Joseph Trumbull, in which Weed extolls the talents of John Carlin, as well as the inevitable triumph of the Whig Party over its “enemies.” Trumbull served as a United States Congressman as a member of the Whig Party during the same period as William Henry Seward.

Weed writes:Hon. Joseph Trumbull.    Dear Sir, 
        Mr. Carlin, a mute
who may visit Hartford, is an exceedingly amiable and 
interesting young man. He is, too, an Artist of genius and 
promise. Should you have it in your power
to aid him professionally, I pray you to do so, for 
I have never met with a Youth more worthy of 
the respect, protection and friendship of the 
good and the fortunate. We are doing our duty to the Whig cause. 
If all do their duty that cause will triumph. 
The enemy is distracted and apathetic. Half 
the Zeal of 1840 will give us a signal
triumph.

Additional resources:

• William Henry Seward Papers
• Thurlow Weed Papers