Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1904-02-20
EARL OF RUcHAN's TRIBUTE.
Sent Washington a Box from the WAL
lace Oak.

Sent Washington a Box from the WAL
lace Oak.
The New York Times published an
article in reference to the disposal of
the box made from the oak that shell
tered Sir William Wallace after the
battle at Falkirk. and giving the let
ter of presentation in which the Earl
of Buchan presented the box to Wash
ington. 1t seems that the Earl of
Buchan, friend and patron of Robert
Burns. was so delighted with the
heroic part that Gen. Washington took
in the American War of independence
that he showed his appreciation in the
manner described.
The letter and box were intrusted
to the care of a Mr.. Robertson,
Scottish artist Robertson arrived in
New York in October, and in Deem
Der went to Philadelphia to fulfill his
mission. This was in 1871.
On Friday. Dec. IS. of that year he
presented the box to the president-
He was much embarrassed, he said
ION being introduced to the American
hero, but was soon relieved by Wash
ington who entered irto familiar con-
versation with him, and introduced
him to Mrs. Washington The Earl
might have a portrait Of Washington
and that Robertson might be the
artist Washington sat to Robertson
when that was finished the artist
painted larger picture from it in oil
for Lord Buchan.
This picture was painted at the
close of May, 1892, when Washington
wrote to Lord Buchan thanking him
for the present of the box and saying
of the portrait: The manner of the
execution of it does no discredit am
told, to the artist The picture was
sent to Europe by Col. Lear, and Rob
ertson received the thanks of the Earl
of Buchan.
In his letter of thanks to Buchan
Washington said: Il will, however.
ask that you will exempt me from
compliance with the request relating
to it's eventual destination. In an at
tempt to execute your wish in this
particular l should feel embarrassed
from just comparison of relative pre-
tensions and fear to risk injustice by
so marked a preference
The box was taken to Mount Yer
| non at the close of the session, where
it remained until Washington's death,
when he committed it to the Earl by
| the following clause in his will:
ITO the Earl of Buchan l commit
| the box made of the oak that shelter
| ed the great Sir William Wallace,
after the battle of Falkirk, presented
| to me by his lordship in terms too fiat
| tering for me to repeat, with a request
| to pass it, on the event of my decease,
| to the man in my country who should
| appear to merit it best, upon the same
| conditions that have induced him to
send it to me. Whether easy or not
| to select the man who might comport
with his 1ordship's opinion in this
| respect, it is not for me to say; but,
conceiving that no disposition of the
valuable curiosity can be more eligible
than the recommitment of it to its
| own cabinet, agreeably to the original
| design of the .Goldsmiths Company
| of Edinburgh, who presented it to him,
| and at his request consented that it
should be transferred to me, do give
| and beQueath the same to his lordship
and in case of his decease, to his
heir, with my grateful thanks for the
distinguished honor of presenting 1t
to me, and more especially for the fav-
orable sentiments with which he &C.
companied it,