Thomas Lawrence - 75 Years of Collecting - Vancouver Art Gallery

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Thomas Lawrence Portrait of Sir John McMahon, 1841 75 Years of Collecting Vancouver Art Gallery Archival History Catalogue Card Miscellaneous History [transcription] 40.1 LAWRENCE Label (on backing): SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE. P.R.A./ a portrait of Sir John McMahon three quarter length, 36 IN/ x 23 1/2" (Exhibited at Old Masters Royal Academy/Burlington House 1907, purchased from the descendants of Sir John McMahon. Label (on backing): Cooling Galleries Ltd./ 92 New Bond Street London. Label (on frame): Lent by Mrs. Marril (?)[Marrable]/(?) S.W.A./ 60 Cleveland Square/Hyde Park W/oil/ Portrait of Sir John McMahon the/ Private Physician to King George IV/ Half figure seated to L. full face/ dark curtain background Right Hon. Sir John McMahon Miscellaneous History [transcription] Right Hon. Sir JOHN McMAHON, Bart. A member of his Majesty's most honourable The Privy Council; Late Private Secretary Secretary-Extrordinary and Keeper of The Privy Purse, to his Royal highness The Prince Regent, etc.etc.etc. The fate and fortune of the subject of this memoir has been not a little extraordinary; for without the possession of any shining talents, or extraordinary accomplishments, either of mind or body; and although unaided by birth, alliances, and family connexions[sic], he attained not only a high rank in the state, but died possessed of no inconsiderable share of wealth, favour, and honours. Sir John McMahon was a native of Ireland; being the eldest son of Mr. John McMahon, who was originally bred in the family of Robert Clements, Esq. of the county of Leitrim, a gentleman of considerable fortune and influence in the sister island. His mother resided for many years also, in the same house. Thus coming into the world, while perhaps both his parents were in great obscurity, who could have contemplated the future fate of this boy? Who could have dreamed of his future rise? Who would have dared to prognosticate that he himself should have lived to confer places, and titles, and honours? That he, for many years, should have possessed the entire confidence of his Prince; and ranked with privy counsellors, nobles, and grandees? But in a free country, birth is a secondary consideration. Born about the year 1754, young McMahon received such an education as seemed befitting for his station in life. At a riper age he repaired to Dublin, and we have been informed by one of his contemporaries that he obtained, perhaps through the interest of the family of Clements (who were afterwards ennobled and became in succession, Barons, Viscounts, and Earls of Leitrim), some little post under government. We are ignorant of the cause, but certain it is, that Mr. McMahon emigrated soon after to America, and applied to a Scotch gentleman, 6 / 17
Thomas Lawrence Portrait of Sir John McMahon, 1841 75 Years of Collecting Vancouver Art Gallery who was then raising a provincial regiment, /regiment afterwards called the "Pennsylvania Rangers," for an ensigncy in that corps. Lieutenant-Colonel James Chalmers (the gentleman alluded to) declined his services, but he, at the same time, pointed out "his countryman Lord Rawdon (since Earl of Moira and Marquis of Hastings) as a more proper person to apply to." This officer lived long enough to see him a great man, and was afterwards accustomed to tell this story at his table in Chelsea, always adding, "my refusal and my hint made this young fellow's fortune." Having solicited the nobleman mentioned above, Mr. McMahon soon after obtained a stand of colours, and in the course of a few months became a great favourite. He was present at all the actions and skirmishes in which Lord Rawdon happened to be engaged in the Trans-Atlantic continent, most of which were fortunate and even successful. At one period, indeed, they penetrated into the southern states, and high hopes were entertained that some great changes might be effected by their gallant achievements. But they did not succeed in any degree equal to their wishes, and, perhaps, to their merits; yet it must be allowed, that their operations were far less disastrous than the two armies under Burgoyne and Cornwallis, both of whom were reduced to the necessity of piling their arms. Mr. McMahon returned to England, and by means of his gallant, kind, and courteous patron, now become Earl of Moira, in due time, attained the rank of a field officer. He afterwards became a lieutenant-colonel in the army, by brevet, and if we are not greatly mistaken, being then married, was permitted to sell his commission, at the same time, by way of especial favour, retaining his rank in the army. But the good and amiable Earl did not stop here, for he projected something far better for the officer who had been so many years under his protection. Colonel McMahon (for so he was now called) seemed to be formed by nature for a courtier. He made a most graceful and elegant bow, which he regulated in due proportion to the rank and influence of those he addressed. His voice was exactly modulated so as to soothe and to please; for it exhibited those under-tones which never disturb the nerves of the great and powerful. He also wrote a letter in the politest style possible and with all due observance of etiquette: nor was he unacquainted with the arts of rendering himself useful on every possible occasion. With the full possession of these qualities, he was introduced to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, at a period when the royal residence of Carlton House, was in a state of eclipse. But he remained long enough in the adjoining mansion in Pall-Mall, to behold all its former splendour revived and augmented; and the Regency conferred on, and enjoyed in full plenitude, by his new protector. One of the first acts of the Prince, after being placed at the head of the executive government, was to reward his fidelity, and from being private secretary, the Colonel accordingly became keeper of the Privy Purse, a Privy- Counsellor, and Secretary-Extraordinary. As His Royal Highness, in his capacity of Duke of Cornwall, had himself been for several years in opposition, Sir John had a delicate task to perform, when he beheld his patron dismiss the whigs, and take other men to his bosom, and his councils. The Earl of Moira and he, were of course no longer of the same party; and all the Right Honourable Secretary's quondam [fromer] friends, seemed to have bid an eternal adieu to Carlton House. A feeble and inefficacious attempt, was, however, at one period made, to nominate the above-mentioned nobleman, Premier: but, as it proved difficult, if not impossible, to arrange the subordinate characters, this appointment never took place. His lordship, 7 / 17
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Thomas Lawrence - 75 Years of Collecting - Vancouver Art Gallery

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