The late Senator S. Foot, acting President of the Senate, at one time placed your petitioner upon regular payroll of the Capitol employees.
Now, therefore, in view of these facts that your petitioner became injured in the performance of his duty, that he is unable to perform continuous service on the scaffold, your petitioner respectfully requests that the Honorable Committee will cause his name to be again placed upon the regular Payroll of Capitol employees in order that the work may be continued as the health of the petitioner may permit him to work upon the scaffold in fresco or upon the cartoons.
The petitioner hopes to obtain this benefit as a reward of the long life spent in the service of the government.
C. Brumidi
The other letter of interest about a member of Brumidi’s family found in the Brumidi file at the Capitol was written from Paris, France, April 4, 1894, and is signed “Laurence S. Brumidi.” Laurence is the boy to whom Senator Morrill referred in his Senate speech on February 24, 1880, as the “adopted son” of Brumidi. This letter from Laurence to the Architect of the Capitol leads us to believe that Laurence is the artist’s own son. The letter is quoted in full as it is the only original document in the Brumidi file throwing any light on the American born son of the artist:
“It may seem strange after so many years’ silence I recall myself to you. Necessity compels me to claim not only your remembrance, but also your favorable attention. First, I will offer for consideration my petition then my reasons for making it. I have in my possession a portrait of my father, also a sketch of the Dome, “The Apotheosis of Washington.” These I would gladly sell to the Government or Corcoran Art Gallery for one thousand dollars.
“Only a pressing need could cause me to offer these precious souvenirs of my father for sale. But the moment has arrived when all must be sacrificed in order to assure future prosperity. Now the last four years have been spent in Paris pursuing my studies in the art chosen when I little knew the sacrifices required by it.
“I have exposed in the Paris Salon for several years and this year have been promised an honor, and my picture will be reproduced in a number of illustrated art publications.
“By this you will perceive that could I pursue the route now open to me for another year I could grasp the fortune offered by success. Unfortunately I find myself quite exhausted by these last efforts and today without funds.
“If the souvenir of my father’s friendship for you will aid my cause I invoke that souvenir knowing that a kindness to his son would be the happiest return for his esteem and friendship.