Chapter III: Introduction: (p. vii) (3)

Description of Medal........................................ 421
Biographical Sketch of George Peabody....................... 422
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to George
Peabody................................. March 16, 1867... 423
George Peabody's Gift for Southern
Education............................. February 7, 1867... 423
Action of the Trustees of the Peabody
Gift.................................. February 8, 1867... 425
The Secretary of State to George Peabody... June 23, 1868... 426
George Peabody to the Secretary of
State............................... September 18, 1868... 427
The Secretary of State to George
Peabody................................ October 7, 1868... 427
George Peabody to the Secretary of
State.................................. January 6, 1869... 428

79 PRESIDENT ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. LXXIX

[_Eighteenth President of the United States of America._]

Description of Medal........................................ 429

80 GEORGE FOSTER ROBINSON. LXXX

[_Heroic Conduct._]

Description of Medal........................................ 430
Biographical Sketch of George Foster Robinson............... 431
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to George F.
Robinson................................. March 1, 1871... 431
Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in Regard to
George F. Robinson........................................ 432

81 LOSS OF THE STEAMER METIS. LXXXI (p. lxvii)

[_Courage and Humanity._]

Description of Medal........................................ 434
Biographical Sketch of Charles E. Barber.................... 434
Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Crandall
and others........................... February 24, 1873... 434
Captain David Ritchie to the Secretary of the
Navy................................. September 1, 1872... 435
Resolution of Congress Voting Thanks to Captain
Ritchie............................... January 24, 1873... 437

82 CENTENNIAL MEDAL. LXXXII

[_Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence._]

Description of Medal........................................ 438
Act of Congress Authorizing Centennial
Medals................................... June 16, 1874... 439
Official Notice Promulgated by the Centennial Board of
Finance................................. March 24, 1875... 439

83 CENTENNIAL MEDAL. LXXXIII

[_Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence._]

Description of Medal........................................ 440

84 LIFE SAVING MEDAL OF THE FIRST CLASS. LXXXIV

[_Saving Life from the Perils of the Sea._]

Description of Medal........................................ 441
Act of Congress Instituting Life Saving
Medals................................... June 20, 1874... 442
The Acting Secretary of the Treasury to Lucien M.
Clemons.................................. June 30, 1876... 442
The Acting Secretary of the Treasury to James
Martin................................... March 3, 1877... 443
The Acting Secretary of the Treasury to John
Dean..................................... March 3, 1877... 444
Report of the United States Life-Saving
Service.............................. November 30, 1876... 444
The Secretary of the Treasury to Colonel J. Schuyler
Crosby................................... June 30, 1877... 447
The Secretary of the Treasury to Carl
Fosberg............................. September 22, 1877... 448
Report of the United States Life-Saving
Service.............................. November 29, 1877... 448
The Secretary of the Treasury to Philip C.
Bleil................................. January 15, 1878... 452

85 LIFE SAVING MEDAL OF THE SECOND CLASS. LXXXV

[_Saving Life from the Perils of the Sea._]

Description of Medal........................................ 453
The Secretary of the Treasury to John O.
Philbrick................................ July 22, 1876... 453
The Secretary of the Treasury to Henry M.
Lee...................................... July 31, 1877... 454
The Secretary of the Treasury to Captain Charles
H. Smith................................ March 12, 1878... 454
The Secretary of the Treasury to Edward
Nordall................................. March 12, 1878... 455
The Secretary of the Treasury to Malachi
Corbell................................. March 12, 1878... 456

86 JOHN HORN, JR. LXXXVI (p. lxviii)

[_Heroic Exploits._]

Description of Medal........................................ 457
Biographical Sketch of John Horn, Jr........................ 457
Act of Congress Voting a Medal to John
Horn, Jr................................. June 20, 1874... 458
John Horn, Jr., to Moses W. Field...... February 23, 1874... 458

LIST OF THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (p. lxix)

GIVEN OR REFERRED TO IN THE INTRODUCTION.

Page.
Benjamin Franklin to the President of Congress.... March 4, 1780..... xi
Colonel Humphreys to the President of Congress... March 18, 1785.... xii
Colonel Humphreys to the Perpetual Secretary of
the Royal Academy of Inscriptions and
Belles-Lettres of France....................... March 14, 1785... xiii
Benjamin Franklin to the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs.......................................... May 10, 1785.... xiv
Contract between Colonel Humphreys and M. Dupré for
Engraving the Medal of General Greene....... November 19, 1785.... xvi
Thomas Jefferson to the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs..................................... February 14, 1787... xvii
Report of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs....... July 11, 1787.. xviii
Thomas Jefferson to M. Dupré.................... January 3, 1789.... xix
Thomas Jefferson to M. Dupré.................. February 13, 1789..... xx
Thomas Jefferson to M. Dupré.................. February 15, 1789.... xxi
General Winfield Scott to the Secretary of War.... July 25, 1846... xxiv
Thomas Jefferson to M. Dupré.................. February 23, 1789. xxxiii
Colonel Humphreys to the Printer of the American
Museum (Mr. Carey)............................. November, 1787.. xxxiv
Registre des Assemblées et Délibérations de l'Académie Royale
des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres pendant l'année 1785......... xxxvi
Contract between Colonel Humphreys and M. Dupré for
Engraving the Medal of General Greene....... November 19, 1785.... xli
Registre des Assemblées et Délibérations de l'Académie Royale
des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres pendant l'année 1789........... xli
Thomas Jefferson to M. Dupré............. Royale January 3, 1789... xliv
Thomas Jefferson to M. Dupré........... Royale February 13, 1789... xliv
Thomas Jefferson to M. Dupré.................. February 15, 1789.... xlv
Explication des Peintures. Sculptures et Gravures de
Messieurs de l'Académie Royale, etc............. 1781 and 1789.... xlv
James Pollock to William L. Dayton............ November 22, 1861.. xlvii
William L. Dayton to the French Minister of Foreign
Affairs..................................... December 10, 1861. xlviii
Marquis de Banneville to W. L. Dayton.......... January 17, 1862... xlix
William L. Dayton to the French Minister
of Foreign Affairs........................... January 23, 1862... xlix
Thomas Jefferson to M. Dupré.................. February 23, 1789...... l

LIST OF PLATES.

Number Designer and Number Page
of Plate. Title of Medal. Engraver. of Text. of Text.

I GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON.
[_Boston retaken._]
Georgio Washington svpremo dvci exercitvvm
adsertori libertatis Comitia Americana. [Rx].
Hostibus primo fugatis.
DUVIVIER. 1 1

II MAJOR-GENERAL HORATIO GATES.
[_Surrender of the British Army at Saratoga._]
Horatio Gates duci strenuo Comitia Americana.
[Rx]. Salus regionum septentrional.
N. GATTEAUX. 2 8

III BRIGADIER-GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE.
[_Taking of Stony Point._]
Antonio Wayne duci exercitus Comitia Americana.
[Rx]. Stoney-Point expugnatum.
GATTEAUX. 3 14

IV LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DE FLEURY.
[_Taking of Stony Point._]
Virtutis et audaciæ monum. et præmium. [Rx].
Aggeres paludes hostes victi.
DUVIVIER. 4 22

V MAJOR JOHN STEWART.
[_Taking of Stony Point._]
Joanni Stewart cohortis præfecto Comitia Americana.
[Rx]. Stoney-Point oppugnatum.
GATTEAUX. 5 28

VI MAJOR HENRY LEE.
[_Surprise of Paulus Hook._]
Henrico Lee legionis equit. præfecto. Comitia
Americana. [Rx]. Non obstantib fluminibus
vallis, etc.
J. WRIGHT. 6 29

VII JOHN PAULDING, DAVID WILLIAMS,
ISAAC VAN WART.
[_Capture of Major André._]
Fidelity. [Rx]. Vincit amor patriæ. 7 37

VIII BRIGADIER-GENERAL DANIEL MORGAN.
[_Victory of the Cowpens._]
Danieli Morgan duci exercitus Comitia
Americana. [Rx]. Victoria libertatis
vindex.
DUPRÉ. 8 40

IX LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM
AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON.
[_Victory of the Cowpens._]
Gulielmo Washington legionis equit.
præfecto Comitia American. [Rx]. Quod
parva militum manu, etc.
DUVIVIER. 9 46

X LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN
EAGER HOWARD.
[_Victory of the Cowpens._]
Joh. Egar. Howard legionis peditum
præfecto Comitia Americana. [Rx]. Quod
in nutantem hostium aciem, etc.
DUVIVIER 10 48

XI MAJOR-GENERAL NATHANIEL GREENE.
[_Victory of Eutaw Springs._]
Nathanieli Green egregio duci Comitia
Americana. [Rx]. Salus regionum
australium.
DUPRÉ 11 50

XII ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA BY THE
UNITED NETHERLANDS.
[_Libera Soror._]
Libera soror. [Rx]. Tyrannis virtute
repulsa.
I. G. HOLTZHEY. 12 57

XIII TREATY OF AMITY AND COMMERCE
BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA AND THE UNITED
NETHERLANDS.
[_Faustissimo Foedere Junctæ._]
Faustissimo foedere junctæ. die VII Octob.
MDCCLXXXII. [Rx]. Justitiam et non
temnere divos.
I. G. HOLTZHEY. 13 74

XIV LIBERTAS AMERICANA.
[_Surrender of the British Armies at Saratoga and at
Yorktown._]
Libertas Americana. [Rx]. Non sine diis
animosus infans.
DUPRÉ. 14 86

XV BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Benj. Franklin natus Boston. XVII Jan. MDCCVI.
[Rx]. Eripuit coelo fulmen sceptrum que tyrannis.
AUG. DUPRÉ. 16 95

XVII CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES.
[_Capture of the Serapis._]
Joanni Paulo Jones classis præfecto.
Comitia Americana. [Rx]. Hostium
navibus captis aut fugatis.
DUPRÉ. 17 97

XVIII
XIX PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON.
[_First President of the United States of America._]
George Washington President. 1792. 18 113

XX THE DIPLOMATIC MEDAL.
To peace and commerce. [Rx]. The United
States of America.
DUPRÉ. 19 115

XXI PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS.
[_Second President of the United States of America._]
John Adams President of the U.S. A.D. 1797.
[Rx]. Peace and friendship. 20 127

XXII CAPTAIN THOMAS TRUXTUN.
[_Action with the Vengeance._]
Patriæ. patres. filio. digno. Thomas Truxtun.
[Rx]. United States frigate Constellation of
38 guns, &c. 21 128

XXIII PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON.
[_Third President of the United States of America._]
Th. Jefferson President of the U.S. A.D.
1801. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.
REICH. 22 133

XXIV COMMODORE EDWARD PREBLE.
[_Naval operations against Tripoli._]
Edwardo Preble duci strenuo Comitia
Americana. [Rx]. Vindici commercii
Americani.
REICH. 23 135

XXV PRESIDENT JAMES MADISON.
[_Fourth President of the United States of America._]
James Madison President of the U.S.A.
D. 1809. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.
REICH. 24 151

XXVI CAPTAIN ISAAC HULL.
[_Capture of the Guerrière._]
Isaacus Hull peritos arte superat Jul.
MDCCCXII Aug. certamine fortes. [Rx].
Horæ momento victoria.
REICH. 25 153

XXVII CAPTAIN JACOB JONES.
[_Capture of the Frolic._]
Jacobus Jones virtus in ardua tendit.
[Rx]. Victoriam hosti majori celerrime
rapuit.
FÜRST. 26 160

XXVIII CAPTAIN STEPHEN DECATUR.
[_Capture of the Macedonian._]
Stephanus Decatur navarchus, pugnis
pluribus, victor. [Rx]. Occidit signum
hostile sidera surgunt.
FÜRST. 27 163

XXIX CAPTAIN WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE.
[_Capture of the Java._]
Gulielmus Bainbridge patria victisque
laudatus. [Rx]. Pugnando.
FÜRST. 28 166

XXX LIEUTENANT EDWARD RUTLEDGE McCALL.
[_Capture of the Boxer._]
Edward R. McCall navis Enterprise
præfectus. Sic itur ad astra. [Rx].
Vivere sat vincere.
FÜRST. 29 171

XXXI LIEUTENANT WILLIAM BURROWS.
[_Capture of the Boxer._]
Victoriam tibi claram. patriæ mæstam. [Rx].
Vivere sat vincere.
FÜRST. 30 174

XXXII CAPTAIN OLIVER HAZARD PERRY.
[_Victory of Lake Erie._]
Oliverus H. Perry, princeps stagno Eriense.
classim totam contudit. [Rx]. Viam invenit
virtus aut facit.
FÜRST. 31 176

XXXIII CAPTAIN JESSE DUNCAN ELLIOTT.
[_Victory of Lake Erie._]
Jesse D. Elliott. Nil actum reputans si quid
superesset agendum. [Rx]. Viam invenit
virtus aut facit.
FÜRST. 32 183

XXXIV CAPTAIN JAMES LAWRENCE.
[_Capture of the Peacock._]
Jac. Lawrence dulce et decorum est pro
patria mori. [Rx]. Mansuetud. maj. quam
victoria.
FÜRST. 33 185

XXXV CAPTAIN THOMAS MACDONOUGH.
[_Victory of Lake Champlain._]
Tho. Macdonough. Stagno Champlain clas.
Reg. Brit. superavit. [Rx]. Uno latere
percusso. alterum impavide vertit.
FÜRST. 34 189

XXXVI CAPTAIN ROBERT HENLEY.
[_Victory of Lake Champlain._]
Rob. Henley Eagle præfect. palma virtu. per
æternit. florebit. [Rx]. Uno latere percusso.
alterum impavide vertit.
FÜRST. 35 193

XXXVII LIEUTENANT STEPHEN CASSIN.
[_Victory of Lake Champlain._]
Step. Cassin Ticonderoga præfect. Quæ
regio in terris nos. non plena lab. [Rx]. Uno
latere percusso. alterum impavide vertit.
FÜRST. 36 195

XXXVIII CAPTAIN LEWIS WARRINGTON.
[_Capture of the Épervier._]
Ludovicus Warrington dux navalis Ameri.
[Rx]. Pro patria paratus aut vincere aut mori.
FÜRST. 37 197

XXXIX CAPTAIN JOHNSTON BLAKELEY.
[_Capture of the Reindeer._]
Johnston Blakeley Reip. Fæd. Am. nav.
Wasp dux. [Rx]. Eheu! bis victor patria
tua te luget plauditq.
FÜRST. 38 200

XL MAJOR-GENERAL JACOB BROWN.
[_Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie._]
Major General Jacob Brown. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress November 3. 1814.
FÜRST. 39 203

XLI MAJOR-GENERAL PETER BUEL PORTER.
[_Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie._]
Major General Peter B. Porter. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress November 3. 1814.
FÜRST. 40 215

XLII BRIGADIER-GENERAL ELEAZER WHEELOCK RIPLEY.
[_Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie._]
Brig. General Eleazer W. Ripley. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress Novemb. 3. 1814.
FÜRST. 41 219

XLIII BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES MILLER.
[_Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie._]
Brigadier Genl. James Miller. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress November 3. 1814.
FÜRST. 42 223

XLIV MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT.
[_Victories of Chippewa and Niagara._]
Major General Winfield Scott. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress November 3. 1814. etc.
FÜRST. 43 224

XLV MAJOR-GENERAL EDMUND P. GAINES.
[_Victory of Erie._]
Major General Edmund P. Gaines. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress November 3. 1814.
FÜRST. 44 226

XLVI MAJOR-GENERAL ALEXANDER MACOMB.
[_Victory of Plattsburgh._]
Major General Alexander Macomb. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress November 3. 1814.
FÜRST. 45 233

XLVII MAJOR-GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON.
[_Victory of New Orleans._]
Major General Andrew Jackson. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress February 27. 1815.
FÜRST. 46 238

XLVIII CAPTAIN CHARLES STEWART.
[_Capture of the Cyane and of the Levant._]
Carolus Stewart navis Amer. Constitution dux.
[Rx]. Una victoriam eripuit ratibus binis.
FÜRST. 47 245

XLIX CAPTAIN JAMES BIDDLE.
[_Capture of the Penguin._]
The Congress of the U.S. to Capt. James
Biddle. etc. [Rx]. Capture of the British ship
Penguin by the U.S. ship Hornet.
FÜRST. 48 249

L PRESIDENT JAMES MONROE.
[_Fifth President of the United States of America._]
James Monroe President of the U.S.A. D.
1817. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.
FÜRST. 49 253

LI MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.
[_Victory of the Thames._]
Major General William H. Harrison. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress April 4. 1818.
FÜRST. 50 254

LII GOVERNOR ISAAC SHELBY.
[_Victory of the Thames._]
Governor Isaac Shelby. [Rx]. Battle of the
Thames. Octo. 5. 1813.
FÜRST. 51 265

LIII TREATY OF COMMERCE WITH FRANCE.
Lvdovicvs. XVIII Franc. et. Nav. rex. [Rx]. Gallia.
et. America. foederata.
ANDRIEU.
GAYRARD. 52 266

LIV PRESIDENT JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
[_Sixth President of the United States of America._]
John Quincy Adams President of the United
States 1825. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.
FÜRST. 53 270

LV PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON.
[_Seventh President of the United States of America._]
Andrew Jackson President of the United States
A.D. 1829. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.
FÜRST. 54 271

LVI COLONEL GEORGE CROGHAN.
[_Defence of Fort Stephenson._]
Presented by Congress to Colonel George
Croghan 1835. [Rx]. Pars magna fuit.
FÜRST. 55 272

LVII PRESIDENT MARTIN VAN BUREN.
[_Eighth President of the United States of America._]
Martin Van Buren President of the United States
A.D. 1837. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.
FÜRST. 56 275

LVIII PRESIDENT JOHN TYLER.
[_Tenth President of the United States of America._]
John Tyler, President of the United States.
1841. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.
57 276

LIX PRESIDENT JAMES KNOX POLK.
[_Eleventh President of the United States of America._]
James K. Polk President of the United States.
1845. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.
PEALE. 58 280

LX MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR.
[_Victories on the Rio Grande._]
Major General Zachary Taylor. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress July 16th 1846, etc.
59 281

LXI MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR.
[_Taking of Monterey._]
Major General Zachary Taylor. [Rx]. Resolution
of Congress March 2nd 1847, etc.
60 290

LXII LOSS OF THE UNITED STATES BRIG-OR-WAR SOMERS.
[_For Having Saved the Lives of Americans._]
Somers navis Americana. [Rx]. Pro vitis
Americanorum conservatis.
C. C. WRIGHT. 61 299

LXIII MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT.
[_Mexican Campaign._]
Major General Winfield Scott. [Rx].
Vera Cruz. Cerro Gordo.
Contreras, etc.
S. ELLIS.
G. C. HUMPHRIES. 62 394
C. C. WRIGHT.

LXIV MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR
[_Victory of Buena Vista._]
Major General Zachary Taylor, etc.
[Rx]. Buena Vista Feb. 22 & 23, 1847.
S. ELLIS.
F. A. SMITH. 63 336
C. C. WRIGHT.

LXV PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR
[_Twelfth President of the United States of America._]
Zachary Taylor President of the United
States 1849. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.
F. PEALE. 64 348

LXVI PRESIDENT MILLARD FILLMORE.
[_Thirteenth President of the United States of America._]
Millard Fillmore President of the United
States 1850. [Rx]. Labor virtue honor.
S. ELLIS.
J. WILLSON. 65 349

LXVII PRESIDENT FRANKLIN PIERCE.
[_Fourteenth President of the United States of America._]
Franklin Pierce, President of the United
States. 1853. [Rx]. Labor virute honor.
S. ELLIS.
J. WILLSON. 66 351

LXVIII COMMANDER DUNCAN NATHANIEL INGRAHAM.
[_Release of Martin Coszta._]
Smyrna. American sloop of war St. Louis.
Austrian brig of war Hussar. [Rx].
Presented by the President of the
United States to Commander Duncan N.
Ingraham, etc.
S. EASTMAN.
P. F. CROSS. 67 352
J. B. LONGACRE.

LXIX PRESIDENT JAMES BUCHANAN.
[_Fifteenth President of the United States of America._]
James Buchanan, President of the United
States 1857. [Rx]. Labor virtue honor.
S. ELLIS.
J. WILLSON. 68 361

LXX DOCTOR FREDERICK HENRY ROSE.
[_Kindness and Humanity of Doctor Rose._]
James Buchanan, President of the United
States. [Rx]. To Dr. Frederick Rose, Assistant
Surgeon, Royal Navy, G.B.
PAQUET. 69 362

LXXI PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
[_Sixteenth President of the United States of America._]
Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
States 1862.
S. ELLIS. 70 366

LXXIIa NAVY MEDAL OF HONOR. PAQUET. 71 367

LXXIIb ARMY MEDAL OF HONOR. PAQUET. 72 368

LXXIII MAJOR-GENERAL ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT.
[_Victories of Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga._]
Major General Ulysses S. Grant. Joint Resolution
of Congress December 17. 1863.
[Rx]. Donelson, Vicksburg, etc.
ANTROBUS.
PAQUET. 73 370

LXXIV CORNELIUS VANDERBILT.
[_Free Gift of Steamship Vanderbilt._]
A grateful country to her generous son
Cornelius Vanderbilt. [Rx]. Bis dat qui tempori
dat. 1865.
LEUTZE.
S. ELLIS. 74 406

LXXV PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON.
[_Seventeenth President of the United States of America._]
Andrew Johnson, President of the United
States. 1865. [Rx]. Peace.
PAQUET. 75 410

LXXVI WRECK OF THE STEAMSHIP SAN FRANCISCO.
[_Testimonial of National Gratitude._]
By joint resolution of Congress to the
rescuers of the passengers officers and
men of steamship San Francisco, etc.
[Rx]. July 26 1866.
PAQUET. 75 410

LXXVII CYRUS WEST FIELD.
[_Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable._]
Honor and fame are the reward. [Rx]. By
resolution of the Congress of the United
States. March 2, 1867. to Cyrus W. Field,
of New York, etc.
J. G. BRUFF.
BARBER. 77 418

LXXVIII GEORGE PEABODY.
[_Promotion of Universal Education._]
[Rx]. The people of the United States to
George Peabody, etc. 78 421

LXXIX PRESIDENT ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT.
[_Eighteenth President of the United States of America._]
United States of America. Liberty justice
and equality "Let us have peace." [Rx].
On earth peace good will toward men.
PAQUET. 79 429

LXXX GEORGE FOSTER ROBINSON.
[_Heroic Conduct._]
To George F. Robinson. Awarded by the
Congress of the United States, March 1, 1871.
G. Y. COFFIN.
PAQUET. 80 430

LXXXI LOSS OF THE STEAMER METIS.
[_Courage and Humanity._]
By Resolution of Congress February 24, 1873.
W. & C. BARBER. 81 434

LXXXII CENTENNIAL MEDAL.
[_Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence._]
These United Colonies are, and of right
ought to be, free and independent States.
[Rx]. In commemoration of the hundredth
anniversary.
W. BARBER. 83 440

LXXXIII CENTENNIAL MEDAL.
[_Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence._]
These United Colonies are, and of right
ought to be, free and independent
States. [Rx]. By authority of the
Congress, etc.
W. BARBER. 83 440

LXXXIV LIFE SAVING MEDAL OF THE FIRST CLASS.
[_Saving Life from the Perils of the Sea._]
Life Saving medal of the first class.
United States of America. [Rx]. In
testimony of heroic deeds, etc.
PAQUET. 84 441

LXXXV LIFE SAVING MEDAL OF THE SECOND CLASS.
[_Saving Life from the Perils of the Sea._]
Life Saving medal of the second class.
United States of America. [Rx]. In testimony
of heroic deeds, etc.
PAQUET. 85 453

LXXXVI JOHN HORN, JR.
[_Heroic Exploits._]
John Horn, Jr. [Rx]. By Act of Congress
June 20th 1874. In recognition of his
heroic exploits, etc.
C. BARBER. 86 457

THE MEDALLIC HISTORY (p. 001)

OF

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

1776-1876.

No. 1. PLATE I.

_March 17, 1776._

Georgio Washington svpremo dvci exercitvvm adsertori libertatis
Comitia Americana. [Rx].[26] Hostibus primo fugatis.

[Footnote 26: [Rx]. Abbreviation of REVERSE.]

GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON.

[_Boston retaken._]

GEORGIO WASHINGTON SVPREMO DVCI EXERCITVVM ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS COMITIA AMERICANA. (_The American Congress to George Washington, commander-in-chief of the armies, the assertor of liberty._) Undraped bust of General Washington, facing the right. DUVIVIER. Paris. F. (_fecit_).

HOSTIBUS PRIMO FUGATIS. (_The enemy put to flight for the first time._) To the left, General Washington on horseback, surrounded by his staff, points toward the British fleet, which is leaving Boston. The American army, in battle array in front of its intrenchments, (p. 002) makes ready to occupy the city. Exergue: BOSTONIUM RECUPERATUM XVII MARTII MDCCLXXVI. (_Boston retaken, March 17, 1776._) On a cannon, DUVIV. (_Duvivier_).[27]

[Footnote 27: See INTRODUCTION, pages x, xi, xiii,
xvi, xxiii, xxv, xxviii; B, xxxvi; G, xlv; and H,
xlvii.]

Although this medal was the first one voted by Congress, it was not struck until after that of the Chevalier de Fleury, which was voted three years later. Its designs, and those of the medals awarded to General Horatio Gates for Saratoga, General Nathaniel Greene for Eutaw Springs, General Daniel Morgan, Lieutenant-Colonels William Augustine Washington and John Eager Howard for the Cowpens, General Anthony Wayne and Major John Stewart for Stony Point, and Captain John Paul Jones for the capture of the Serapis, were composed by commissioners appointed by the French Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres, at the request of Colonel David Humphreys and of Mr. Jefferson. The legend of the reverse of the General Washington medal, as originally proposed, was HOSTIBUS or ANGLIS PRIMUM FUGATIS. Several of the medals are treated of at length in the Introduction, to which, to avoid repetition, the reader is referred.

PIERRE SIMON DUVIVIER was born in Paris, November 5, 1731. He was the son of Jean Duvivier, a member of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, and the grandson of Jean Duvivier, known as Duvivier "_le père_," the first of this distinguished family of medal engravers, who lived in Liège at the beginning of the 17th century. Pierre Simon Duvivier was engraver-general of the Paris Mint prior to 1793, and executed medals of many eminent persons. America is indebted to him for those of General Washington, Lieutenant-Colonel de Fleury, Lieutenant-Colonel William Augustine Washington, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Eager Howard. He was a member of the Academy of Fine Arts, and died June 10, 1819.

GEORGE WASHINGTON was born near Pope's Creek, Westmoreland County, Virginia, February 22, 1732. He lost his father when but ten years of age, and in 1752, in consequence of the death of his elder brother, came into possession of the estate of Mount Vernon, on the Potomac River, and other property. The same year he received a commission as major of militia, and in 1755 became colonel and aid-de-camp to (p. 003) General Braddock. On the death of that officer in the disastrous march against Fort Duquesne, Washington conducted the retreat, and was shortly afterward appointed commander of the Virginia troops. In 1774 he was elected member of the first Continental Congress, held in Philadelphia, and in the following year was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, taking command of the forces at Cambridge, July 3, 1775. On March 17, 1776, he compelled the British forces to evacuate Boston, for which Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He was commander-in-chief throughout the War of Independence, and resigned his commission as such, December 23, 1783, when he retired to Mount Vernon. He was delegate from Virginia to the National Convention which met in Philadelphia in May, 1787, to frame the Constitution of the United States, and was chosen its president. He was afterward unanimously elected first President of the United States, and was inaugurated in New York city, April 30, 1789. He was re-elected, and inaugurated a second time, March 4, 1793; refused a third term of office, and issued a farewell address, September 17, 1796. When a war with France was expected, in 1797, he was re-appointed commander-in-chief. General Washington died at Mount Vernon, December 14, 1799.

_____

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to General Washington._

IN CONGRESS.

_Resolved_, That the thanks of this Congress, in their own name,
and in the name of the thirteen United Colonies, whom they
represent, be presented to His Excellency General Washington, and
the officers and soldiers under his command, for their wise and
spirited conduct in the siege and acquisition of Boston; and that
a medal of gold be struck in commemoration of this great event,
and presented to His Excellency; and that a committee of
three[28] be appointed to prepare a letter of thanks and a proper
device for the medal.

Monday, March 25, 1776.

[Footnote 28: The members chosen were Mr. J. Adams,
Mr. Jay, and Mr. Hopkins.]

_____

_General Washington to the President of Congress._ (p. 004)

To
John HANCOCK, Esq., HEADQUARTERS, Cambridge,
President of Congress. March 19, 1776.

Sir: It is with the greatest pleasure I inform you that, on
Sunday last, the seventeenth instant, about nine o'clock in the
forenoon, the ministerial army evacuated the town of Boston, and
that the forces of the United Colonies are now in actual
possession thereof. I beg leave to congratulate you, Sir, and the
honourable Congress, on this happy event, and particularly as it
was effected without endangering the lives and property of the
remaining unhappy inhabitants.

I have great reason to imagine their flight was precipitated by
the appearance of a work which I had ordered to be thrown up last
Saturday night on an eminence at Dorchester, which lay nearest to
Boston Neck, called Nook's Hill.

The town, although it has suffered greatly, is not in so bad a
state as I expected to find it; and I have a particular pleasure
in being able to inform you, Sir, that your house has received no
damage worth mentioning. Your furniture is in tolerable order,
and the family pictures are all left entire and untouched.
Captain Cazeneau takes charge of the whole until he shall receive
further orders from you.

As soon as the ministerial troops had quitted the town, I ordered
a thousand men (who had had the small-pox), under command of
General Putnam, to take possession of the heights, which I shall
endeavour to fortify in such a manner as to prevent their return,
should they attempt it. But as they are still in the harbour, I
thought it not prudent to march off with the main body of the
army until I should be fully satisfied they had quitted the
coast. I have, therefore, only detached five regiments, besides
the rifle battalion, to New York, and shall keep the remainder
here till all suspicion of their return ceases.

The situation in which I found their works evidently discovered
that their retreat was made with the greatest precipitation. They
have left their barracks, and other works of wood at Bunker Hill,
&c., all standing, and have destroyed but a small part of their
lines. They have also left a number of fine pieces of cannon
which they first spiked up, also a very large iron mortar, and,
as I am informed, they have thrown another over the end of your
wharf. I have employed proper persons to drill the cannon, and
doubt not I shall save the most of them. I am not yet able to
procure an exact list of all the stores they have left. As soon
as it can be done, I shall take care to transmit it to you. From
an estimate of what the quartermaster-general has already
discovered, the amount will be twenty-five or thirty thousand
pounds.

Part of the powder mentioned in yours of the sixth instant has
already arrived. The remainder I have ordered to be stopped on
the road, as we shall have no occasion for it here. The letter to
General Thomas I immediately sent to him. He desired leave for
three or four days to settle some of his private affairs, after
which he will set out for his command in Canada. I am happy that
my conduct in intercepting Lord Drummond's letter is approved of
by Congress.

I have the honour to be, &c.,
Geo. WASHINGTON.

_____

_The President of Congress to General Washington._ (p. 005)

To
General WASHINGTON. Philadelphia, April 2, 1776.

Sir: It gives me the most sensible pleasure to convey to you, by
order of Congress, the only tribute which a free people will ever
consent to pay--the tribute of thanks and gratitude to their
friends and benefactors. The disinterested and patriotic
principles which led you to the field have also led you to glory;
and it affords no little consolation to your countrymen to
reflect that, as a peculiar greatness of mind induced you to
decline any compensation for serving them, except the pleasure of
promoting their happiness, they may, without your permission,
bestow upon you the largest share of their affections and esteem.

Those pages in the annals of America will record your title to a
conspicuous place in the temple of fame which shall inform
posterity that, under your direction, an undisciplined band of
husbandmen, in the course of a few months, became soldiers; and
that the desolation meditated against the country by a brave army
of veterans, commanded by the most experienced generals, but
employed by bad men in the worst of causes, was, by the fortitude
of your troops, and the address of their officers, next to the
kind interposition of Providence, confined for near a year within
such narrow limits as scarcely to admit more room than was
necessary for the encampments and fortifications they lately
abandoned. Accept, therefore, Sir, the thanks of the United
Colonies, unanimously declared by their delegates to be due to
you and the brave officers and troops under your command; and be
pleased to communicate to them this distinguished mark of the
approbation of their country. The Congress have ordered a golden
medal, adapted to the occasion, to be struck, and, when finished,
to be presented to you.

I have the honour to be, with every sentiment of esteem, Sir,
your most obedient and very humble servant,
John HANCOCK, President.

_____

_John Adams to General Washington._

To
General WASHINGTON. Philadelphia, April 2, 1776.

Sir: I congratulate you, as well as all the friends of mankind,
in the reduction of Boston, an event which appeared to me of so
great and decisive importance, that, the next morning after the
arrival of the news, I did myself the honour to move for the
thanks of Congress to Your Excellency, and that a medal of gold
should be struck in commemoration of it. Congress have been
pleased to appoint me, with two other gentlemen, to prepare a
device. I should be very happy to have Your Excellency's
sentiments concerning a proper one.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your most
obedient and affectionate servant,
John ADAMS.

_____

_General Washington to John Adams._ (p. 006)

To
John ADAMS, Esq., New York, April 15, 1776.
In Congress.

Sir: I am impressed with the deepest gratitude for the high
honour intended me by Congress. Whatever devices may be
determined upon by the respectable committee they have chosen for
that purpose will be highly agreeable to me.

I have the honour to be, most respectfully, Sir, your most
obedient and affectionate humble servant,
Geo. WASHINGTON.

_____

_Colonel Humphreys to General Washington._

To
General WASHINGTON. Paris, May, 1785.

My dear General: Upon leaving America Mr. Morris invested me with
the power of procuring the several honourary presents which have
been voted by Congress to different officers in their service
during the late war. The Royal Academy of Inscriptions and
Belles-Lettres, to whom I addressed a letter on the subject, have
furnished me with the following device and inscriptions for the
gold medal which is to be executed for Your Excellency:

"On one side, the head of the general. Legend: 'GEORGIO
WASHINGTON SUPREMO DUCI EXERCITUUM ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS COMITIA
AMERICANA.' On the reverse: Taking possession of Boston. The
American army advances in good order toward the town, which is
seen at a distance, while the British army flies with
precipitation toward the shore, to embark on board the vessels,
with which the harbour is covered. In the front of the American
army appears the general on horseback, in a group of officers,
whom he seems to make observe the flight of the enemy. Legend:
'HOSTIBUS PRIMO FUGATIS.' Exergue: 'BOSTONIUM RECUPERATUM DIE
XVII MARTII, MDCCLXXVI.'"

I think it has the character of simplicity and dignity which is
to be aimed at in a memorial of this kind, which is designed to
transmit the remembrance of a great event to posterity. You
really do not know how much your name is venerated on this side
of the Atlantic.

I have the honour to be, my dear General, your sincere friend and
humble servant,
D. HUMPHREYS.

_____

_Colonel Humphreys to Thomas Jefferson._

To
Thomas JEFFERSON, Esq., London, January 30, 1786.
Paris.

Dear Sir: Gatteaux, the engraver, lives in the street St. Thomas
du Louvre, opposite the Treasury of the Duke de Chartres.

Now that there is no obstacle to commencing the medal for (p. 007)
General Washington, since Houdon's return, I could wish,
should it not be giving you too much trouble, that you would send
for Duvivier, who lives in the old Louvre, and propose to him
undertaking it upon exactly the terms he had offered, which, I
think, were 2,400 livres, besides the gold and expense of
coinage. If he should not choose it, we must let it rest until
Dupré shall have finished General Greene's. Gatteaux has a paper
on which is the description of General Washington's medal.

I am, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant,
D. HUMPHREYS.

_____

_Thomas Jefferson to Colonel Humphreys._

To
Colonel HUMPHREYS, Paris, May 7, 1786.
London.

Dear Sir: I have received the books and papers you mention, and
will undertake to have finished what you left undone of the
medals, or, at least, will proceed in it till the matter shall be
put into better hands.

I am, dear Sir, your friend and servant,
Th: JEFFERSON.

No. 2. (p. 008) PLATE II.

_October 17, 1777._

Horatio Gates duci strenuo Comitia Americana. [Rx]. Salus
regionum septentrional.

MAJOR-GENERAL HORATIO GATES.

[_Surrender of the British Army at Saratoga._]

HORATIO GATES DUCI STRENUO COMITIA AMERICANA. (_The American Congress to Horatio Gates, a valiant general._) Bust of General Gates, in uniform, facing the left. N. GATTEAUX.

SALUS REGIONUM SEPTENTRIONAL. (_Salus regionum septentrionalium: The safety of the northern regions._) Lieutenant-General Burgoyne is surrendering his sword to General Gates. In the background, on the left, the vanquished troops of Great Britain are grounding their arms and standards. On the right is the victorious American army, in order of battle, with colors flying.[29] Exergue: HOSTE AD SARATOGAM IN DEDITION. (_deditionem_) ACCEPTO DIE XVII. OCT. (_Octobris_) MDCCLXXVII. (_The enemy surrendered at Saratoga, on the 17th of October, 1777._) On the platform, GATTEAUX, F. (_fecit_).[30]

[Footnote 29: The "stars and stripes." Congress
passed, June 14, 1777, the following resolution:

_Resolved_, That the flag of the thirteen United
States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and
white; that the union be thirteen stars, white on a
blue field, representing a new constellation.

And it was to this new American flag that General
Burgoyne surrendered.

Congress changed the flag by the following act,
which was approved January 13, 1794:

_Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of
Representatives of the United States in Congress
assembled_, That from and after the first day of
May, anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and
ninety-five, the flag of the United States be
fifteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the
union be fifteen stars, white on a blue field.

Congress made a second change by an act approved
April 14, 1818:

_Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of
Representatives of the United States in Congress
assembled_, That from and after the fourth day of
July next, the flag of the United States be
thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and
white; that the union be twenty stars, white on a
blue field.