Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1885 — “Brother Jonathan.” [ARTICLE]

“Brother Jonathan.”

“Let us see what Brother Jonathan says,” was Washington’s usual remark when doubtful cases arose during the war. The words, which since have become a sobriquet of the United States, referred to Jonathan Trumbull, Governor of Connecticut from 1769 to 1784. Washington highly esteemed his judgment, and all who came in contact with him learned to love the wise Governor. During the winter of 1780-81 some of the troops of our French allies wintered at Lebanon, Conn., where Gov. Trumbull resided. Their commander, the Duke de Lauzun, was quartered at the house of the Governor’s son, David. In return for the civilities extended to him by the citizens of the town, the Duke often gave brilliant parties. Upon one of these occasions—a dinner given in honor of two distinguished French visitors—the grave and ceremonious Governor was present, dressed in the peculiar style of his Puritan ancestors. Around the table were seated volatile, laughter-loving French officers, most of them disciples of Voltaire. Yet the Governor, true to his Christian profession and his custom, pronounced in a loud tene a long “grace. ” Such were his solemnity of manner and his evident sincerity, that those F enclimen, to all of whom “grace” was a solecism before a meal, responded with “Amen.” Once in the Lebanon meeting house the minister announced that a collection would be taken for the soldiers. Faith Trumbull, the Governor’s wife, arose from her seat, and, taking from her shoulders a magnificent scarlet cloak—a present from Count Roc.hambeau, the Commander-in-Chief of the French army—advanced to she pulpit and laid it on the communion table. It was afterward cut into strips and used to trim the soldiers’ uniforms. Youth’s Companion. The Jewelers’ Circular says that never in the history of jewelry in this country have colored stones, both gems and semi-precious stones, been more in request than now.