The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-02-19
EARL OF BUCHAN's TRIBUTE.
Sent Washington a Box from the Wal.
lace Oak,

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 MI. Robertson, a
Scottish artist. Robertson arrived In
New York in October, and in Deem
Der went to Philadelphia to fulfill his
mission. This was in 1891.
On Friday, Dec. 10, 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 ito familiar con
versation with him, and introduced
him to Mrs. Washington" The Earl
of Buchan expressed the wish that he
might have a portrait ct Washington
and that Robertson might be the
artist. Washington sat to Robertson
for the portrait in miniature, and
when that was finished the artist
painted a larger picture from 1t in oil
for Lord Buchan.
This picture was painted at the
close Of May, 1892, when Washington
wrote to Lord Luchan thanking him
for the present of the box, and saying
Of the portrait: "The manner of the
execu ton of 1t does no discredit, l 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: II 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 a 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 q request
to pass 1t, 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 1t to me. Whether easy or not
to select the man who might comport
with his lordship's opinion in this
respect, 1t Is not for me to say: but
conceiving that no disposition of the
valuable curiosity can be more eligible
than the recommitment of 1t to its
own cabinet, %agreeably to the original
design of the "Goldsmiths Company"
OF Edinburgh, who presented 1t to him,
and at his request consented that il
should be transferred to me, l do give
and bequeath the same to his lordship
and In case of his decease, to bis
heir, with my grateful thanks for the
distinguished honor Of presenting It
to me. an more especially for the fav-
orable sentiments with which he &C.
companied It"