The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-10
HISTORIC PICTURE
MILLET'S MASTERPIECE IN
GRAND Jury ROOM.
Portrays Scene when Foreman Elder
Rebuked Provincial Chief Justice
smyth in Essex Court.
lFor Illustration See Page i

OL AAlllbIlhNlOA
'Mnlet's painting, The Essex Grand
Jury Rebuking Provincial Chief Justice
Frederick Smyth," the story of which
has been told in the EVENING STAR,
depicts one of the striking and notable
incidents of this States Colonial history.
In fact, a careful reading of the history
of that time makes 1t apparent that Fore
man Daniel Elmer's firm declaration III
principles was the beginning of a pa
triotic movement which steadily increased
and which made this city and county the
leading centre of patriotic energy in the
State I'D to and following the Revolution.
The inspiration of Foreman Elmerss re-
luke of official Tory utterances was car
ried to every part of New Jersey and the
hearts of the c~olonists were. stirred to
emulation and later to equally bold decla-
rations, the delegates for committeeman
that year from this section being especially
outspoken in their approval OF Foreman
Elmer's words. Early In 1775, says Lee 5
New Jersey as a Colony and as a State'
''the activity Of Essex County continued
unabated. The Freeholders of the town
ship Of Newark having recently chosen a
committee of observation, this
met In Newark January 5. and, aiter
presenting its thanks to the delegates from
New jersey to the Continental Congress
begged leave to inquire. etc Almost
every page In the history of that time
holds reference to Foreman Elmer's casti-
cation of the Chief Justices sentiments
that the restiveness of the c~olonists was
based on an Imaginary tyranny three
thousand miles distant"
Foreman Elmer's stirring words were ut
tered early In November, 1T4, In. response
to Chief Justice smyth's charge that while
the grand Jurors were guarding themselves
against Imaginary tyranny three thousand
miles distant" they ought not to expose
themselves to a real tyranny at home.
Almost ut the instant these words were
being delivered the English ship Grey
hound, bound for Philadelphia with a cargo
of tea, entered the Delaware Capes, bnt
its captain, fearful Of the state of public
opinion in that city, tied up at the Green
witch wharves. unloaded his cargo and
stored 1t in the cellar of a nearby house.
The tea remained there until 0 ~, when
a party of forty men, dressed In indian
costumes, in emulation OF the Boston tea
party. and led by DR.. Ebenezer Elmer, a
brother of the bold foreman of the Essex
Grand Jury, entered the storehouse,
forced their way into the cellar, carried
off the tea chests and made a bonfire OF
the same in q nearby field.
Al the time {" this stirring event Jona-
than Elmer, an uncle of both these
patriots, was high sheriff Of the crown In
Cumberland County. and 1t was an open
secret Of tina time that he was well aware
of the purpose Of the mauraders.
The tea burning was carried into the
courts. both cfvil and criminal, the lat
ter phase of the suit being heard in May,
1775, by Chief Justice Smyth In the Court
F..-.a.1 Iw.& %I0 foronaau
being the fearless Daniel Elmer, the same
had made his vigorous declaration OF
principles seven months previously, no ac-
ton was taken and the case was never
subsequently moved. In this suit the de-
PENDANT "Greenwich Indians were repre-
scented by Joseph Bloomfield, later to be
Governor of the State; Elias Boudinot, of
Elizabethtown; George Read, of New
Castle, and Jonathan d. Sergeant, of Phil
adelphia, all famous men in the stirring
days of the Revolution.
The Elmer family is one of the Oldest
in the State. Edward Elmer. the first Of
the name, came to America with forty
seven companions, comprising the church
of the Rev. Thomas Hooker. in 1852. 1t is
asserted by some historians that this Elmer
vas n descendant Of Aylmer, tutor TO Lady
Jane Grey and later Bishop of London.
who changed his name, to Elmer. Edward
had four sons, three of whom left a vfrile
and successful progeny, among them the
Rev. Daniel Elmer, who was the grand
father of the colonial grand jury foreman.
The family has grown steadily since
colonial times and includes in its branches
today the Nixon family. the Seeley family
and-others equally well known.
The art critic of the New York Tribune,
writing of the picture, commends 1t very
highly, saying the picture Shows with
what appropriate simplicity Mr.. Millet has
dramatized this patriotic demonstration.
figures are. grouped necessarily with a
certain orderliness, and at the same time
with a naturalness of attitude and gesture
heightening the tension of the effect.
In his treatment of the faces he has
been especially successful, practically every
one of the actors in the scene having in
dividuality. The central figure is supported
by colorless supernumeraries, but by
men of like Importance with himself in a
critical phase of our political development.
The color scheme is admirably restrained.
Against the background provided by the
tawny wainscot and gray wall, the cos
tunes discreetly assert themselves in sober
tones of brown and green, russell, red,
slate and yellow.
1.-THE design has vitality, and in execu-
ton 1t is the broadcast and most elastic
piece of work Mr.. Millet has produced" I.