3 . Archibald Robertson (1765–1835) was educated at King’s College in Aberdeen, Scotland, and studied painting at Edinburgh before returning to Aberdeen to operate a “Drawing Academy.” He left for London in 1786, became a student of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and also took lessons from Benjamin West. Robertson soon attracted the attention of the court with his skillful miniatures and earned the appellation of “The Reynolds of Scotland” before returning to his homeland. Robertson decided to settle in the United States and arrived at New York on 2 October. He was presented to GW by Tench Coxe on 30 Dec. and delivered this letter and relic from Buchan ( Robertson, Letters and Papers of Andrew Robertson, description begins Emily Robertson, ed. Letters and Papers of Andrew Robertson, A.M., Born 1777. Died 1845. Miniature Painter . . . Also A Treatise on the Art by his Eldest Brother, Archibald Robertson, Born 1765. Died 1835. of New York. London, 1895. description ends 9, and Stillwell, “Robertson,” description begins John E. Stillwell. “Archibald Robertson, Miniaturist, 1765–1835.” New-York Historical Society Quarterly Bulletin 13 (1929): 1–33. description ends 1, 16). See also Virginia Gazette and Alexandria Advertiser, 12 Jan. 1792.

4. The hinged wooden snuffbox, about four inches long, three inches wide, and two inches deep, was constructed of six pieces of one-eighth-inch-thick finely polished oak, elegantly bound with silver. Mounted upon the inside of the lid was a silver plate bearing the inscription, “Presented by the Goldsmiths of Edinburgh to David Stuart Erskine, Earl of Buchan, with the freedom of their Corporation, by their Deacon, 1791” (described and quoted in Robertson, Letters and Papers of Andrew Robertson, 9). Not having received an acknowledgment, Buchan wrote GW on 15 Sept.: “Sometime ago I did myself the pleasure to transmit to you by Mr Archibald Robertson of Aberdeen a testimony of my sincere respect contained in a Box made of the venerable oak which sheltered our great Wallace after his defeat at Falkirk, which Box was cut out of the Tree by the propreter & Sent to the Corporation of Goldsmiths at Edn. & by them presented to me with the freedom of their Company in the Box abovementioned and which I hope you will receive. It is a respectable curiosity & will I flatter myself be a relique of long endurance in America as a Mark of that Esteem with which I have the honour to be Sir, Yr Obedient humble Servt” ( PHi : Gratz Collection; the docket on the Sprague transcript [ DLC:GW ] notes that the letter was received on 15 June 1792—the address cover of the original receiver’s copy is missing). Buchan later referred to GW as “the modern American Wallace” (quoted in Lamb, “Unpublished Washington Portraits,” description begins Martha J. Lamb, ed. “Unpublished Washington Portraits.” Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries 19 (1888): 272–85. description ends 278). Sir William Wallace (c.1272–1305) led a Scottish uprising against Edward I from 1297 until 1305. He was defeated at the Battle of Falkirk in the summer of 1298 by Edward and his forces and retreated with the remnant of his army to Stirling before seeking aid abroad. After his capture and execution by the English in 1305 Wallace became the best-known champion of Scottish liberty.