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"which for felicity of conception-for fire af"imagination-for energy of diction-and for élo"quence, will long be remembered. His selection "of circumstances was so judicious-his metaphors "so bold and original-his gesture so appropriate and forcible-and his voice, countenance and "manner so impassioned, that a crowded and respectable auditory, were now elevated by his "sublimity-now transported by his enthusiasm, and now melted by his pathos.With what pa"triotic pride did every American listen to the "praises which the orator bestowed on the hero. "of Monongahela, and the farmer of Potowmac. "The splendours of ancient and modern names "faded away before the superior brightness of this sun of American glory. His august image

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towered above all former greatness-and even "royalty itself sunk beneath the majesty of his "virtues. The eloquence of this oration was at"tended with its natural effects. Not an eye could' "be seen that was not moistened with the big tear of grateful admiration—not a heaving bosom that did "not breathe forth its ardent vows to the Father of "his Country. The spectacle was infinitely interest"ing-a numerous assembly embalming with their "tears the memory of the founder of their empire, "and the foul stain of the ingratitude of republics, "in one moment-blotted out for ever."

Amongst the obsolete puffs that were now revived, was the following correspondence with the wis LORD BUCHAN.

In the year 1792, the following paragraphs appeared in the papers of the United States:

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Philadelphia, Jan. 4. "On Friday morning was presented to the PRETIDENT of the United States [then Gen. Washington], a box, elegantly mounted with silver, and made of

the

the celebrated Oak Tree that sheltered the WASHINGTON of Scotland, the brave and patriotic Sir WILLIAM WALLACE, after his defeat at the battle of Falkirk, in the beginning of the fourteenth century, by EDWARD I. This magnificent and truly characteristical present is from the Earl of BUCHAN, by the hand of Mr. ARCHIBALD ROBERTSON, a Scots gentleman, and portrait painter, who arrived in America some months ago. The box was presented to Lord BUCHAN by the Goldsmiths' Company at Edinburgh; from whom his lordship requested and obtained leave to make it over to a man whom he deemed more deserving of it than himself, and the only man in the world to whom he thought it justly due. We hear further, that Lord BUCHAN has, by letter, requested of the PRESIDENT, that, on the event of his decease, he will consign the box to that man, in this country, who shall appear, in his judgment, to merit it best, upon the same considerations that induced him to send it to the present possessor.

"The inscription, upon a silver plate, on the inside of the lid, is as follows:-Presented by the Goldsmiths of Edinburgh, to DAVID STUART ERSKINE, Earl of BUCHAN, with the freedom of their corporation, by their deacon, 1792.'

The following is the Letter which accompanied the Box that was presented to General GEORGE WASHINGTON, by Mr. ROBERTSON, from Lord BUCHAN.

" SIR,

"Driburgh Abbey, June 28th, 1791.

"I had the honour to receive your Excellency's letter relating to the advertisement of Dr. Anderson's periodical publication in the Gazette of the

United States; which attention to my recommendation I feel very sensibly, and return you my grateful acknowledgements.

"In the 21st Number of that Literary Miscel lany, I inserted a monitory paper respecting America, which I flatter myself may, if attended to on the other side of the Atlantic, be productive of good consequences.

To use your own emphatic words, may that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe-who presides in the Councils of Nations—and whose providential aid can supply every human defect-consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the American people, a government instituted by themselves for public and private security, upon the basis of law and equal administration of justice, preserving to every individual as much civil and political freedom as is consistent with the safety of the nation, and may HE be pleased to continue your life and strength as long as you can be in any way useful to your country!

"I have entrusted this sheet, inclosed in a Box made of the Oak that sheltered our great Sir William Wallace after the battle of Falkirk, to Mr. Robertson, of Aberdeen, a painter, with the hope of his having the honour of delivering it into your hands; recommending him as an able artist, seeking for fortune and fame in the New World. This Box was presented to me by the Goldsmiths' Company at Edinburgh, to whom, feeling my own unworthiness to receive this magnificently significant present, I requested and obtained leave to make it over to the man in the world to whom I thought it most justly due; into your hands I commit it, requesting of you to pass it, on the event of your decease, to the man in your own country who shall appear to your judgment to merit it best, upon the

same

same considerations that have induced me to send

it to your Excellency.

"I am, with the highest esteem,
"Sir,

"Your Excellency's most obedient
"and obliged humble servant,

"General WASHINGTON,

President of the United States

of America."

"BUCHAN."

"P. S.-I beg your Excellency will have the goodness to send me your portrait, that I may place it among those I most honour, and I would wish it from the pencil of Mr. Robertson. I beg leave to recommend him to your countenance, as he has been mentioned to me favourably by my worthy friend, professor Ogilvie, of King's College, Aberdeen."*

WASHINGTON's ANSWER.

"MY LORD,

Philadelphia, May 1, 1792.

"I should have had the honour of acknowledging sooner the receipt of your letter of the 28th of June last, had I not concluded to defer doing it till I could announce to you the transmission of my portrait, which has just been finished by Mr.

man.

* The Goldsmiths' Company did not, it seems, know their His Lordship was very modest in preferring the rebel Washington to himself; but, he was certainly the best judge of his own "unworthiness"-Mr ROBERTSON was seeking "fortune and fame in the New World." I believe he was baulked in his pursuit; for ever heard of him; and, had he made any noise in the new word, his fame would have reached me. The fact is, he tork he wrong road. The Americans hate your hungry fortune bunters.

Ro

Robinson (of New York), who has also undertaken to forward it. The manner of the execution of it does no discredit, I am told, to the artist; of whose skill favourable mention had been made to me. I was further induced to entrust the execution to Mr. Robinson, from his having informed ine that he had drawn others for your Lordship, and knew the size which best suit your collection.

"I accept with sensibility and with satisfaction, the significant present of the box which accompanied your Lordship's letter.

"In yielding the tribute due from every lover of mankind, to the patriotic and heroic virtues of which it is commemorative, I estimate, as I ought, the additional value which it derives from the hand that sent it, and my obligation for the sentiments that induce the transfer.

"I will, however, ask that you will exempt me from compliance with the request relating to its eventual destination.

"In an attempt to execute your wish in this particular, I should feel embarrassment from a just comparison of relative pretentions, and should fear to risk injustice by so marked a preference. With sentiments of the truest esteem and consideration, I remain your Lordship's most obedient servant, "G. WASHINGTON."*

"Earl of BuCHAN."

*This is excellent! The old fox, who had as much wit in his little finger as Lord BUCHAN had in his whole body and head too, foresaw what risk his popularity would run from naming the most worthy amongst his survivors; and, therefore, he bequeathed the dear Box to Lord BUCHAN himself!

The General having received the present from a nobleman, who was a subject of the king against whom he had rebelled, might, indeed, well believe, that no human being, besides him who gave it, could deserve to inherit the precious relic.

The

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