The Coolidge examiner., 1935-06-14

/ OF portraits OF Washington and other Revolu
tionary notAbles
when the news came tha, Major Andre the
British adJutnnt- general In America. had been
| arrested and executed as n spy. the crown au'
thorities furious Looking around for a
victim 10 be nsed In reprisal they decided that
Colonel Trumbul who had been rebel" dep
u,y adlutani general. was the man. lie was
arrested and confined In TuthIu Bridewcll where
he calmly went on with his painting even while
bis fate was undecided. After seven months
Imprisonment he gained bis freedom through the
influence OF Benjamin West. who went TO the
king himself and secured Trumbuls release.
Returning TO America. the young painter
again entered the army bar the surrender OF
Cornwnllis gave him chance TO 20 back TO
England Again be entered the studio OF West
aud received steady encouragement from the
master and high praise from the great Sir
Joshua Reynolds At this time Trumbull con
ceiyed the Idea of commem0rating In a series OF
paintings the principal events of thee Revolution
The irst one which he did was based upon his
remembrance of the scene be. as a young lieu
tenant had viewed from Roxbury heights. one
day Sir Joshua Reynolds visiting Vests studio
saw a small painting resting on an easel Struck
by It's dramatic qualities and believing that St
the work ~ West he started 10 eongratu.
late his fellow British artist But West lmmedi
ately told him that II the work Of the young
American. John Trumbull
Thus Trumbuis painting Of The Battle OF
Bunker HilT became the first OF those splendid
canvases which are such priceless records OF the
American Revolution ard which include his
equally u not more famous signing OF the Dee
aration ~ independence Death OF Monigom-
cry at Quebec Surrender Of Burgoyne" and
Surrender OF CORVALLIS
thrilling incident few years later. lie was In
Paris during the French Revolution and sick.
ened by the horrors OF the Reign of Terror. he
determined 10 return 10 America. But when he
attempted 10 leave France he found that be was
on the suspect list with the strong possibility
that the arch-Terrurlst Kobesplerre would send
him To the guIliotne.
Trumbull decided 10 appeal 10 his painter.
friend. Louis David. who ally OF Robes
pierre When David found that the American
bad his Bunker HIn painting with him. he said
That picture is worth many passports" SO
Trumbull with the canvas (which was a small
one) under his arm accompanied David 10 the
police prefecture. There the French painter
wellknown as good republican" gained quick
admittance. lie showed the picture 10 the chief
and explained that the American with him. al
though a notorious suspect, had been at the Bat.
tie OF Bunker Hin. "He Is as good a Reyolu-
tionlst as any OF u.s." be declared. As a result
Trumbull 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 Hin. 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 centered
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
erans he began: venerable meni You have
come down 10 US from a former generation.
Heaven has bounteously heightened ont your
lives that you might behold this joyous day.
You are now where you stood so 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 spell-bound
with the magic OF his voIce-in the words which
he addressed directly 10 La Fayette and In his
apostrophe 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
shall remind him Of the liberty and glory OF his
country. Let 1t risei Let 1t rise, till 1t meets
the In his coming Let the earliest light
of the morning gid 1t, and parting day llnger
and play on its summit"
The speech which the orator delivered there
that day has been called zone of the two ora
tons which alone entitle him to place In that
select circle of the immortals." The orator was
Daniel Webster.
@ by Western Newspaper Union.