Connecticut western news., 1899-12-14
BROTHER JONATHAN-UNCLE SAM.
The Origin of these Two American .Terms.-JOhn Bull also Traced.

The Origin of these Two American
 Terms.-John Bull also Traced.
 Several matters have recently occur red calling attention to the terms: "Brother Jonathan" "Uncle Sam" and in degree to ''John Bull" Of the American terms Brother Jonathan" Is the older, and the reader should note the distinction in which the terms are used, Brother Jonathan" designating the people of the United States and "Uncle Sam" designating the United States government. The terms have become common usuge and everyone is familiar with the cartoon of "Uncle Sam" and also John Bull. but Broth CT Jonathan" is not recognized by any picture. Let us quote some authority on the subject of the origin of the terms.
 From Webster we learn that when General Washington vert to Massa- chusetts to organize the army of the Revolutionary war, and make prepara- tions for the defense of the country, he found great waut of ammunition and other means necessary to meet the pow ful foe he had to contend with, and great difficulty in obtaining them. If attacked In such condition, the cause at once might be hopeless. On one oc- casio n at that anxious periods consulta- tion of the officers ard others was had, when it seemed no way could be devised to make such preparations as was neces- sary. His Excellency. Jonathan Trum- bull, the elder, was then governor of Connecticut, and, as Washington plac- ed the greatest reliance on his iuig- ment and aid, he remarked, We must consult Brother Jonathan on the sub- ject." He did so, and the governor was successful in supplying many of the wants of the army. When difficult ties afterward arose. and the army was spread over the country, it became a by. word-"We must consult Brother Jonathan" The origin of the express ion being sopn lost sight of, the name "Brother Jonathan" came to be regard ed as the national sobriquet.
 Frost says of the origin of the term "Uncle Sam Immediately after the declaration of war with England in 1872, Ebert Anderson, of New York, then a contractor, visited Troy on the Hudson, where was concentrated, and where he purchased, large quantity of provisions-beef, pork, etc. The in- spectors of these articles, at that place, were Messrs Ebenezer and Samuel Wilson. The latter gentlemen Gnvaria- bly, know as Uncle Slm'') generally superintended in person a large num- Der of workmen, who on this occasion, were employed in overhauling the pro visions purchased by the contractor for the army. The casks were marked "E. A.-U. s. This work fell to the lot of facetious fellow in the employ of the Messrs Wilson, who, on being asked by some of his fellow workmen the meaning of the mark (for the letters U. s., for the United States were then almost entirely new to them,) said he did not know, unless it ment Ebert Anderson and Uncle Sam, "-allueing exclusively, then, to the sad Uncle Sam Wilson. The joke took among the workmen, and passed currently; and Uncle Sam himself being present, was oc- casionally rallied by them on the extent of his possessions. ..,. Many of these workmen, being of a character denomi- mated flood for powder" were found shortly after, following the recruiting drum, and pushing toward the frontier lines. for the double purpose of meet ing the enemy and of eating the provis- ions they had lately labored to put in | good order. Their old jokes accom- panied them, and before the first camp aign ended, this identical one first appeared in print; it gained favor rapid ly, till It penetrated and was recognized in every part of the country, and will, no doubt, continue so while the United States remains nation.
 "John Bull" is the we'll known col lective name of the English nation first used in an old satire, "The History of John Bull" written by Arbuthnot. After it's appearance the book was wide ly read and the English people in spirit of humor adopted the sobriauet Why Arbuthnot used the term John Bull'' is not perfectly clear, though it may be that he considered the bull typical oi the English people, as in his satire he designated the French as "Lswis Ba boon" and the Dusch as "Nicholas Frog"
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