and made of the celebrated oak tree that sheltered the WASHINGTON of Scotland, the brave and patriotic Sir William Wallace, after his defeat at the battle of Falkirk, in the beginning of the fourteenth century, by Edward the 1st. This magnificent and truly characteristic present is from the Earl of Buchan, by the hands of Mr. Archibald Robertson, a Scotch gentleman, and portrait painter who arrived in America some months ago."-Claypoole's Daily Advertiser.

At the request of the Earl of Buchan, Washington sat to Mr. Robertson for his portrait, to be placed among those most honored by the earl. The portrait obtained at these sittings was taken in miniature; it was retained by the artist, and a large painting executed from it was sent to the earl in May, 1792.

A family dinner to which Mr. Robertson was invited is thus described by him "The dinner, served at three o'clock in the afternoon, was plain, but suitable for a family in genteel and comfortable circumstances. There was nothing specially remarkable at the table, but that the General and Mrs. Washington sat side by side, he on the right of his lady; the gentlemen on his right hand and the ladies on her left. It being on Saturday, the first course was mostly of eastern cod and fresh fish. A few glasses of wine were drunk during dinner, with other beverage; the whole closed with a few glasses of sparkling champagne, in about three quarters of an hour, when the General and Colonel Lear retired, leaving the ladies in high glee about Lord Buchan and the Wallace box.'"

1792.

MONDAY, JANUARY 2.

At Philadelphia: Receives and answers an address from the "Right Worshipful Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania."

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21.

At Philadelphia: "February 24.-On Tuesday evening the 21st. inst. the city dancing assembly,* gave a ball in honor of the birth day of the President of the United States. They were honored on this occasion with the company of the President and Mrs. Washington, the VicePresident, the foreign Ministers, Mr. Speaker [Jonathan Trumbull] and most of the members of the two houses of Congress, the governor of the state [Thomas Mifflin], and of the Western Territory [Arthur St. Clair], together with many of the most respectable officers of the United States and of this state; and to crown the whole with one of the most brilliant displays of beauty ever exhibited in this city."-Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22.

At Philadelphia: " February 23.-Yesterday both Houses of Congress walked in Procession to wait on the President of the United States to congratulate him on the anniversary of his Birth Day.. The officers of the militia of the

* This social organization, which dates back to 1748, is still in existence, its members meeting twice during the winter for the enjoyment of dancing. In the early days the balls were given every Thursday evening from January to May, beginning at six and ending at twelve o'clock. Now they begin at twelve.

City, Liberties and Districts of Philadelphia paid their respects in a body and there was also a military parade, with firing of guns and ringing of bells."-Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser.

"February 25.-The entertainment given last Wednesday evening [February 22], by the New City Dancing Assembly,* in honor of the President's birth day, was remarkable, we hear, for a brilliant display of beauty, taste and elegance. The President and a number of officers of the government attended."-Idem.

"February 25.—On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the 21st and 22d instants, the two Dancing assemblies gave each, successively, a Ball, in honor of this anniversary-at both of which were present, the President of the United States, his Lady and Family-the Vice-President of the United States the Heads of Departments-the Foreign Ministers-the Speaker, and most of the Members of the two Houses of Congress-the Governor of the State-the Governor of the Western Territory-and many other respectable Officers of the United States, and of this Commonwealth-and to crown all, there was as brilliant a display of Beauty as was ever exhibited in this city. Elegant entertainments succeeded, when a variety of sentimental and patriotic Toasts were given."-Gazette of the United States.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23.

At Philadelphia: "March 26.-Friday last [March 23] the Indian Warriors lately arrived in this city [March 15], had an audience of the President of the United States.". Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser.

The Indian warriors received by the President consisted of fifty chiefs from the Northern tribes of the Six Nations, † among whom was the celebrated orator Sa-go-ya-wat-ha (He keeps them awake), better known as Red Jacket. In his address to them the President said, "You have been invited to this place by Colonel Pickering, at my special request, in order to remove all causes of discontent; to devise and adopt plans to promote your welfare, and firmly to cement the peace between the United States and you, so that in future we shall consider ourselves brethren indeed. I assure you that I am desirous that a firm peace should exist not only between the United States and the Five Nations, but also between the United

* A distinct and separate association from the one of a similar character referred to under date of February 21, and probably of short duration.

The Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and Tuscaroras.

States and all the Nations of this land-and that this peace should be founded upon the principles of justice and humanity, as upon an immovable rock, that you may partake of all the comforts of this earth, which can be derived from civilized life, enriched by the possession of industry, virtue and knowledge."

It was during this visit to Philadelphia that the President presented to Red Jacket a large silver medal, on the principal side of which was engraved a design representing Washington in uniform and standing, having just given the calumet of peace to an Indian chief, who is smoking it. The reverse bore the United States shield on the breast of the American eagle displayed, and over his head a glory breaking through a cloud and surrounding thirteen stars. This silver memento, known as the "Red Jacket Medal," which is still in existence, is interesting as being the first presentation of the kind on the part of the Federal government that we are aware of.

MONDAY, APRIL 2.

At Philadelphia: Under this date, Edward Thornton, secretary to Mr. George Hammond, the British minister, in writing to Sir James Bland Burges, drew the following character of Washington.

"Philadelphia, April 2, 1792.—I promised you in a former letter a description of the President of the United States, General Washington. Conscious as I am of the difficulty and danger of describing again what has been so often described before, I will yet attempt to convey to you my idea of him. His person is tall and sufficiently graceful; his face well-formed, his complexion rather pale, with a mild philosophic gravity in the expression of it. In his air and manner he displays much natural dignity; in his address he is cold, reserved, and even phlegmatic, though without the least appearance of haughtiness or ill-nature; it is the effect, I imagine, of constitutional diffidence. That caution and circumspection which form so striking and well-known a feature in his military, and indeed in his political character, is very strongly marked in his countenance, for his eyes retire inward (do you understand me?) and have nothing of fire of animation or openness in their expression. If this circumspection is accompanied by discernment and penetration, as I am informed it is, and as I should be inclined to believe from the judicious choice he has generally made of persons to fill public stations, he possesses the two great requisites of a statesman, the faculty of concealing his own sentiments and of discovering those of other men. A certain degree of indecision, however, a want of vigour and energy, may be observed in some of his actions, and are indeed the obvious result of too refined caution. He is a man of great but secret ambition, and has sometimes, I think, condescended to use little arts, and those, too, very shallow ones, to secure the object of that ambition. He is, I am told, indefatigable in busi

ness, and extremely clear and systematic in the arrangement of it; his time is regularly divided into certain portions, and the business allotted to any one portion rigidly attended to. Of his private character I can say little positive. I have never heard of any truly noble, generous, or disinterested action of his; he has very few who are on terms of intimate and unreserved friendship; and what is worse he is less beloved in his own State (Virginia) than in any part of the United States. After all, he is a great man, circumstances have made him so; but I cannot help thinking that the misconduct of our commanders has given him a principal part of that greatness." * SATURDAY, MAY 5.

At Philadelphia: "I am much pleased to hear, that the picture by Colonel Trumbull gives so much satisfaction. The merit of this artist cannot fail to give much pleasure to those of his countrymen, who possess a taste for the fine arts; and I know of no part of the United States, where it would be put to a stronger test than in South Carolina."Washington to William Moultrie.

"The picture by Colonel Trumbull," referred to in the above-quoted letter, was a full-length portrait of Washington in military costume, standing by a horse, painted from life at Philadelphia, in 1792, for the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The picture is still owned by the city. The resolution of the City Council requesting the President to sit to Colonel Trumbull was passed May 7, 1791, at the time he was in Charleston, during his southern tour. The resolution is as follows: "Resolved unanimously, that his Honor the Intendant in behalf of the City Council and their constituents, be desired to request of George Washington, Esquire, President of the United States, that he will be pleased, when it is convenient to him, to permit his portrait to be taken by Colonel Trumbull, in order that it may be placed in the City Hall, as the most lasting testimony of their attachment to his person, to commemorate his arrival in the Metropolis of this State, and to hand down to posterity the resemblance of the man to whom they are indebted for the blessings of Peace, Liberty and Independence."

THURSDAY, MAY 10.

Leaves Philadelphia: "May 11.-The PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES, yesterday left this city, on a journey to the Southward."—The Aurora.

* Selections from the "Letters and Correspondence of Sir James Bland Burges, Bart., sometime Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs," edited by James Hutton. London, 1885.