In the year 1846 there still remained one panel in the rotunda of the Capitol at Washington to be filled by an historical painting.  It had been assigned to Inman, but, that artist having recently died, Morse’s friends, artists and others, sent a petition to Congress urging the appointment of Morse in his place.  Referring to this in a letter to his brother Sidney, dated March 28, he says:—­

“In regard to the rotunda picture I learn that my friends are quite zealous, and it is not improbable that it may be given me to execute.  If so, what should you say to seeing me in Paris?

“However, this is but castle-building.  I am quite indifferent as to the result except that, in case it is given me, I shall be restored to my position as an artist by the same power that prostrated me, and then shall I not more than ever have cause to exclaim:  ’Surely Thou hast led me in away which I knew not’?  I have already, in looking back, seen enough of the dealings of Providence with me to excite my wonder and gratitude.  How singularly has my way been hedged up in my profession at the very moment when, to human appearance, everything seemed prosperously tending to the accomplishment of my desire in painting a national picture.  The language of Providence in all his dealings with me has been almost like that to Abraham:  ’Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac whom thou lovest, and offer him for a burnt offering,’ etc.

“It has always seemed a mystery to me how I should have been led on to the acquirement of the knowledge I possess of painting, with so much sacrifice of time and money, and through so many anxieties and perplexities, and then suddenly be stopped as if a wall were built across my path, so that I could pursue my profession no longer.  But, I believe, I had grace to trust in God in the darkest hour of trial, persuaded that He could and would clear up in his own time and manner all the mystery that surrounded me.

“And now, if not greatly deceived, I have a glimpse of his wonderful, truly wonderful, mercy towards me.  He has chosen thus to order events that my mind might be concentrated upon that invention which He has permitted to be born for the blessing, I trust, of the world.  And He has chosen me as the instrument, and given me the honor, and at the moment when all has been accomplished which is essential to its success, He so orders events as again to turn my thoughts to my almost sacrificed Isaac.”

In this, however, he did not read the fates aright, for a letter from his friend, Reverend E. Goodrich Smith, dated March 2, 1847, conveys the following intelligence:  “I have just learned to-day that, with their usual discrimination and justice, Congress have voted $6000 to have the panel filled by young Powell.  He enlisted all Ohio, and they all electioneered with all their might, and no one knew that the question would come up.  New York, I understand, went for you.  I hope, however, you may yet yourself resume the pencil, and furnish the public the most striking commentary on their utter disregard of justice, by placing somewhere ‘The Germ of the Republic’ in such colors that shall make them blush and hang their heads to think themselves such men.”