The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-06-13

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his life-work before the outbreak of the war in
terrupted him.
But Trumbul could not stay away from the
battlefield long. He next became volunteer
aide-de-camp under General Sullivan in Rhode
Island and remained until his physical condition
made it imperative that he get away from the
rigors Of army life. In 1850 he went to Paris
where he told Benjamin Franklin of his desire
TO study painting under the great Benjamin West
in London. Through Franklin's influence with
Lord German, British foreign minister Trum-
bull was received in Vests studio and put to
work alongside young American named Gilbert
Stuart, destined for future fame as the painter
OF portraits of Washington and other Revolu-
tionary nOtables
When the news came that Major Andre, the
British Acknowledgement in America had been
arrested and executed as a spy the crown au-
thorities were furious. Looking around for
victim to be used in reprisal they decided that
Colonel Trumbun who had been rebel" dep
uty adjutant general, was the man. He was
arrested and confined in TuthiIl BrideweI where
he calmly went on with his painting even while
his fate was undecided. After seven months
Imprisonment he gained his freedom through the
influence of Benjamin West, who went to the
king himself and secured Trumbull's release.
Returning to America, the young painter
again entered the army but the surrender of
CORVALLIS gave him chance to go back to
England. Again he entered the studio of West
and received steady encouragement from the
master and high praise from the great Sir
Joshua Reynolds At this time TrumbuIl con-
ceived the idea Of concentrating In series Of
paintings the principal events of thee Revolution
The first one which he did was based upon his
remembrance Of the scene he as a young lieu
tenant, had viewed from Roxbury heights One
day Sir Joshua Reynolds, visiting Vests studio,
saw small painting resting on an easel Struck
by its dramatic qualities and believing that II
was the work of West, he started to congratu-
late his fellow British artist. But West inmedi-
ately told him that 1t was the work of the young
American, John Trumbull
Thus TrumbulFs painting Of The Battle of
Bunker Hill" became the first Of those splendid
canvases which are such priceless records of the
American Revolution and which include his
equally If not more famous Signing of the Dec
laration of Independence" Death Of Montgom-
cry at Quebec" Surrender Of Burgoyne" and
Surrender of CORVALLIS"
TrumbuPs Bunker Hill painting figured in a
thrilling incident a few years later He was in
Paris during the French Revolution and, sick
ened by the horrors Of the Reign of Terror, he
determined to return to America But when he
attempted TO leave France he found that he was
that the arch-Terrorist Robespierre would send
him to the guillotine.
Trumbull decided to appeal to his painter
friend, Louis David, who was an ally Of Robes
pierre. When David found that the American
had his Bunker Hill painting with him, he said
THAT picture is worth many passports" So
Trumbun with the canvas (which was a small
one) under his arm accompanied David to the
police prefecture There the French painter,
rail-
admittance. He showed the picture to the chief
and explained that the American with him, al
though a notorious suspect, had been at the Bat
tie Of Bunker Hill. He is as good Revolu-
zionist as any of u.s." he declared AS result
Trumbull was allowed to depart from France
his passport, the painting of the Battle Of
Bunker Hill Reproduced above).
Fifty years after the British regulars marched |
to their deaths up Breeds Hill, great throng |
gathered on its slopes to lay the cornerstone of
the monument which now stands there. Among |
the crowd was a small group of Revolutionary |
war veterans. Also present was distinguished |
visitor from across the Atlantic, a Frenchman |
who had fought for American liberty.
But the eyes of the crowd were not conferred /
so much upon the Marquis de La Fayette as /
they were upon a young lawyer who had been |
chosen orator Of the day. Turning to the vet /
Grams, he began: venerable menl You have /
come down 10 US from a former generation. /
Heaven has bounteously heightened out your
lives that You might behold this joyous day. /
You are now where you stood 80 years ago this /
very hour, with your brothers and your neigh
bors shoulder TO shoulder in the strife for your
country
From then on he held his audience speIl-bound
with the magic of his yoice-in the words which /
ne addressed directly TO La Fayette and in his
aposfrophe to the monument: I'VE wish finally.
that the last object to the sight of him who
leaves his native shore and the first TO gladden.
him who revisits it, may be something which
snah remind him OF the liberty and glory of his
country. Let it risel Let it rise. till it meets
the sun In his comingl Let the earliest light
OF the morning gid it, and parting day linger
and play on its summit
The speech which the orator delivered there
that day has been called zone of the two ora
lions which alone entitle him to place in that
select circle of the immortals, The orator was
Daniel Webster
p NV Il