New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-15

A GIFT TO LEXINGToN-THE EARLs LtTIIhs f"o''
AMERICA IN 1775.

A GIFT TO LEXINGIoN-THI EAlLs LIZ inns A"''
AMERICA IN 11|o.
Moernon George. sixth Duke OF Northum-
heraud has INST presented the borough OF ieNhg-
ton Massachusetts, copy Of an oil portraito MS
uncle the Earl Percy who commanded the britsh loe'
AZ the hattie OF Lexington April 10. 1775 The pres
entation was on Thursday formally made through INC
Rev Edward G. Porter who has lately been guest ~
the Dukes castle. and who was permitted during MS
visit IN see and make extracts from the Percy family
rapers especially from the letters written home by Earl
Percy during his American experiences The first, me
Boston Journal saws dated July ., liza nj bos'on'
In this Percy told his parents that the people were
vly ho-headod and that he feared trouble ON inc
27iu OF the same mon Percy Wrote that, 9"nH ~ o
ub-er OF General Gage At salem, ne had Dech Oh
mauder inChei Of the camp AT Boston lie al-o no,or.i
view OF the town OF Boston ana the CAMP anu ,
vey ed the information tuat the people say inucn ah
people are worthy subjects who talk as though tnty
would wipe the troops every night, but are fright
spoken Of rs of sediton OF the most NHueht
type. Another letter 10 his father was da,en Auss.
is IVA aud in this Percy described the scenery
around Boston having the appearance OF u PARK
finely Land This beauty he considered 10 pe onse
by The poverty Of the SOIL which in his opinion was
owe titled and scanty fertlized. In this leler syup-
toms Of trouble IN the country were noted anu inc
writer prOfcssed his determination TO do hs whole duy
wherever he might lie called upon to serve rather man
seek preerment where II might most easily he ootnineu
at the IT. James. In subsequent ctler 10
General Howe ut London he wrote his serious appie
tension of boodshed and ms oehei III tne neeessiy on
he said he looked for either wIunge among lis mem
bers or the origin Of serious business for the Home
Government To his father, asO he wrote IN the same
strain Other letters various persons were quoted
froin bringing the record down To April 60 1170,
when Percy reported to General Gage aOout
the march 10 Lexington. There. Percy says he met
the troops retreating from Concord. and he ordered
field pcces De trained upon The rebels from the
heights. The shot from the cannon dispersed them As
the British had but little smmunltOn and were fifteen
miles from Boston. they ordered by MN 10 return
Thcy pressed severely by the reOcls uuul they
reached CnsrestOwn. many men beng Killed. Percy
attributed To the rebels cruelty aud OarbHry wililng
that they scalped aud of the OF the wounded
troops showing that the British too believed tat Their
opponents cruel and DarbarOus Percy, alter TINS
disastrous retreat of the opinion that the cOonlst
were nc irregular mob, but determined men accus-
toned night the French and the lncaDs The road 10
CharlestOwn Earl Percy SAID taken Tor the retreat
as II was feared that the rebels "a they actually ala
would destroyed the bridge over the Charles KNet
In letter referring to Bunker Hlll Percy mentions the
death of DR.. Warren and that OF Major Pitcairn. While
Percy was here Mr.. Porter said he was advanced IN
rank 10 be heu general, yet he was anxious TO
return home aud allowed tn do near the close
OF the war. he was the hrst to suggest making peace
with the coOniss and he was selected as Minister feh-
IpOentiary such end. Owing 10 dssensl0ns
ia The Brush Cabinet declined tnat honor, ana re
tired 10 private life. as nearly as he could do So
Tie Town OF Lexington proposes to acknowledge
the Dukes kindness by the gift Of painting OF the
old MunrOe Tavern-he ancient building which, on the
day of the battle Lord Percys headquarters
and hospital. The picture l. the work Of Miss Bartlett
a sister Of the late General W. f. Bartlett Resolutions
Of thanks to the Duke will accompany the gift