The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876
Chapter 3
In 1876 I showed to M. Augustin Dumont, the celebrated sculptor,[16] and the godson of Augustin Dupré, the plate engraved from the plaster casts, and from him I learned that M. Narcisse Dupré, the son of Augustin, was still living in the south of France, at Montpellier. M. Dumont had given to M. Ponscarme, his pupil, now professor in the École des Beaux-Arts, the _maquettes_, or lead proofs, of many of Dupré's works. A few days later, M. Ponscarme showed me a _maquette_ of the obverse of the Diplomatic medal, and at last M. Narcisse Dupré sent me a photograph of the reverse. I thus obtained proof of the correctness of the engraved plate.
[Footnote 16: Among his most noted works is the bronze statue of the Emperor Napoleon I., placed by Napoleon III. on the column in the Place Vendôme, Paris, which was overthrown by the Communists. The statue has since been replaced on the reconstructed column. M. Dumont, who is a professor in the École des Beaux-Arts, is a member of the Institute, Commander of the Legion of Honor, etc.]
While in Washington, in February, 1872, I was fortunate enough to find, in the office of Rear-Admiral Joseph Smith, then chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, in the Navy Department, where they were used as paperweights, the original dies of the medal voted to Commodore Edward Preble for his naval operations against Tripoli. I immediately brought this to the notice of the chief clerks of (p. xxxi) the Navy and of the Treasury Departments, and also to that of Captain (now Rear-Admiral) George H. Preble, a connection of the commodore's, and these dies are now where they belong, in the Mint in Philadelphia. Shortly afterward I was also instrumental in having restored to the mint the dies of the Vanderbilt medal, which were lying in the cellar of one of the New York city banks.
I have found it impossible to obtain any trustworthy information respecting the designer and the engraver of the medal, voted on March 29, 1800, in honor of Captain Thomas Truxtun. As there were no competent medallists in the United States at the period, and as we were then at war with France, it is presumable that the dies were made in England. If so, they were probably cut at the private mint of Matthew Boulton, of Birmingham, who furnished the United States Government for a long time with planchets for its copper coinage.
The work now offered to the public consists of two volumes: Volume I., Text; Volume II., Plates.
The text is subdivided into eighty-six sections, corresponding to the number of the medals, in each of which is included, besides the descriptive matter, all the documents that could be obtained relating to the respective piece, and arranged according to the following plan:
1. The number of the medal, its date, and its number in the book of plates. The medals are arranged chronologically: those voted by Congress according to the dates of the several resolutions or acts awarding them, and not in the order of the events which they commemorate; the unofficial ones in the order of events which they commemorate; and the presidential pieces according to the date (p. xxxii) of inauguration of each President.
2. The descriptive titles of each medal, in the following order: 1st, the legends of the obverse and of the reverse; 2d, the name of the person honored, or of the title by which the piece is known; 3d, the event commemorated.
3. A description of the medal, beginning with the obverse: 1st, the whole legend; 2d, the description of the emblems and devices; 3d, the legend of the exergue; 4th, the names of the designer and of the engraver. The same order has been followed for the reverse. The legends are copied exactly from the medals, and when in Latin, translated; the abbreviations are explained, and are, like the translations, placed between parentheses. The words, "facing the right" and "facing the left" mean the right or the left of the person looking at the piece.
4. A short biographical sketch of the designers and of the engravers.
5. A short biographical sketch of the person in whose honor the medal was struck, or of the President of the United States, in case of the Indian peace tokens.
6. Original documents, such as Resolutions or Acts of Congress, the official reports of the events commemorated, and letters of interest.
The original documents have been given in the belief that the reader would prefer them to a mere recital of the events of which they treat. Many of these are now printed for the first time.
It is interesting to note that Mr. Jefferson, as early as 1789, entertained the idea of publishing an account of all the (p. xxxiii) American medals struck up to that time, as will be seen from the following letter;
To M. DUPRÉ, Engraver of Medals, Paris.
Mr. Jefferson is going to have a description of all the medals printed, in order to send them, with copies of the medals, to the sovereigns of Europe. The one of Mr. Franklin, made by M. Dupré, is wanting; he begs you to lend him a copy, and to communicate to him the description also, if any has been made, as is probable.
February 23, 1789[17].
[Footnote 17: The original of this letter, which is in French, and which was communicated to me in Paris by M. Narcisse Dupré, is undoubtedly in the handwriting of Mr. Jefferson. I have sought in vain for the document mentioned in it. See I, page 1.]
No mention is made of the size of the medals, as the plates show their exact dimensions.
Being desirous that the execution of the engravings should be as perfect as possible, I invited M. Jules Jacquemart, of Paris, to undertake the whole of them. M. Jacquemart needs no praise. All amateurs know his etchings from Van der Meer, Franz Hals, Rembrandt, etc., and his plates for the "History of Porcelain," by M. Albert Jacquemart, his father, for the "Gems and Jewels of the Crown," published by M. Barbet de Jouy, and for the "Collection of Arms" of Count de Nieuwerkerke. The American public has had, moreover, an opportunity of admiring the works of this eminent artist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York city. His collaboration adds great value to the artistic portion of this work.
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (p. xxxiv)
REFERRED TO IN THE INTRODUCTION.
A
Mount Vernon, November, 1787. To THE PRINTER OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM (Mr. CAREY.)
Sir: I understand that a part, if not all, of the medals which, in the course of the late war, were voted by Congress to officers of distinguished merit, and for the execution of which I contracted with artists at Paris, have lately arrived in America. But, not having seen any account published of the devices and inscriptions, I presume it will not be ungrateful to the public to receive some authentic information respecting these memorials of national glory. However superfluous the publication of the correspondence[18] on this subject with the Perpetual Secretary of the Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres might be deemed, it will not, I conceive, be improper it should be known that this learned society, to whom a reference was made, entered on the discussion with the same alacrity as if the subject had been designed to illustrate the actions of their compatriots, or to immortalize some glorious events in the annals of their own nation. You will be at liberty to insert in your _Museum_ the result of their deliberations.
In our free republics certainly nothing should be suppressed that can tend to awaken a noble spirit of emulation, to cherish the fine feelings of patriotism, to exhibit alluring examples for imitation, or to extend and perpetuate the remembrance of those heroic achievements which have ennobled the era of the American Revolution. Few inventions could be more happily calculated to diffuse the knowledge and preserve the memory of illustrious characters and splendid events than medals--whether we take into consideration the imperishable nature of the substance whence they are formed, the facility of multiplying copies, or the practice of depositing them in the cabinets of the curious. Perhaps one improvement might be made. The sage and venerable Dr. Franklin, whose patriotic genius is active in old age, and ever prolific in projects of public utility, once suggested,[19] in conversation with me, as an expedient for propagating still more extensively the knowledge of facts designed to be perpetuated in medals, that their devices should be impressed on the current coin of the nation.
Under influence of such ideas, I shall claim the indulgence (p. xxxv) of my countrymen for bringing forward a communication which might possibly have come more satisfactorily from some other quarter. An apprehension that the subject might remain unnoticed is my apology.
I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, David HUMPHREYS.
[Footnote 18: I have found none of this correspondence in the archives of the French Academy, Paris, nor in those of the State Department, Washington, excepting the letter of Colonel Humphreys to M. Dacier, dated Paris, March 14, 1785, for which see page xiii.]
[Footnote 19: See Franklin's despatch to the Honorable John Jay, dated Passy, May 10, 1785, page xiv.]
_Devices and Inscriptions of American Medals._
The gold medal for General Washington represents the head of His Excellency, with this legend: GEORGIO WASHINGTON SUPREMO DUCI EXERCITUUM, ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS, COMITIA AMERICANA. On the reverse: The Evacuation 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 strand, to embark on board the vessels with which the roads are covered. In the front of the picture, on the side of the American army, General Washington appears on horseback, amid a group of officers, to whom he seems to be pointing out the retreat of the enemy.
Legend: HOSTIBUS PRIMO FUGATIS.
On the Exergue: BOSTONIUM RECUPERATUM, DIE 17 MARTII, MDCCLXXVI.
The gold medal for General Gates represents the head of that general, with this legend: HORATIO GATES, DUCI STRENUO, COMITIA AMERICANA.
On the reverse: The enemy's general, at the head of his army, who are grounding their arms, presents his sword to the American general, whose troops stand with shouldered arms.
Legend: SALUS REGIONUM SEPTENTRIONALIUM.
On the Exergue: HOSTE AD SARATOGAM IN DEDITIONEM ACCEPTO, DIE 17 OCTOBRIS, MDCCLXXVII.
The gold medal of General Greene represents the head of that general, with this legend: NATHANIELI GREEN, EGREGIO DUCI, COMITIA AMERICANA.
On the reverse: A Victory treading under feet broken arms.
Legend: SALUS REGIONUM AUSTRALIUM.
On the Exergue: HOSTIBUS APUD EUTAW DEBELLATIS, DIE 8 SEPTEMBRIS, MDCCLXXXI.
The medal in gold for General Morgan, and those in silver for Colonels Howard and Washington, were to be indicative of the several circumstances which attended the victory at the Cowpens on the 17th of January, 1781, in conformity to a special resolution of Congress.
It may not be foreign to the purpose to add that dies have formerly been engraved under the direction of Dr. Franklin,[20] for striking the gold medal for General Wayne, and the silver medals for Colonels de Fleury and Stewart, emblematic of their gallant conduct in storming the works of Stony Point, sword in hand.
[Footnote 20: This is an error. The medals for General Wayne and Major Stewart were composed, at the request of Mr. Jefferson, by the French Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres, in 1789. See D, page xli.]
These are all the medals voted by Congress in the course of the war.[21]
[Footnote 21: This is incorrect, as Congress voted medals to Major Lee, September 24, 1779, and to John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart, November 3, 1780.]
* * * * *
B (p. xxxvi)
_Registre des Assemblées et Délibérations de l'Académie Royale des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres pendant l'année 1785._
Vendredi 8 avril 1785.
- - - - -
Monsieur le secrétaire a fait part d'une lettre de Monsieur Humphreys, ancien colonel au service des États-Unis, par laquelle il demande trois médailles pour Messieurs Washington, le général Gates et le général Green. Il envoie en même temps des renseignements sur les actions de ces trois personnes.
L'académie a remis à huitaine pour s'occuper de ces trois médailles.
Mardi 19 avril 1785.
- - - - -
Après ces différents arrangements, on s'est occupé des médailles demandées par le Congrès d'Amérique, et l'on a invité messieurs les académiciens à apporter des projets pour ces médailles, à la première séance, dans laquelle on est convenu de nommer des commissaires pour rédiger ces médailles.
Vendredi 22 avril 1785.
- - - - -
Monsieur Dacier a fait ensuite la lecture des projets des trois médailles pour les trois officiers généraux américains; après les avoir bien discutés, on a nommé, pour les terminer, Messieurs Barthélémy, Dupuy, Brotier et Le Blond.
Mardi 26 avril 1785.
- - - - -
Monsieur Dacier, le secrétaire perpétuel, lut ensuite les sujets de médailles demandées par le Congrès pour trois officiers généraux.
_Pour Monsieur Washington._
D'un côté sa tête.
_Légende_: GEORGIO WASHINGTON SUPREMO DUCI EXERCITUUM ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS.
_Exergue_: COMITIA AMERICANA.
_Revers_: La prise de Boston, l'armée anglaise fuyant vers le rivage pour s'embarquer, etc.
_Légende_: HOSTIBUS OU ANGLIS PRIMUM FUGATIS.
_Exergue_: BOSTONIUM RECUPERATUM DIE 17 MARTII ANNO 1776.
_Pour Monsieur Gates._
D'un côté sa tête.
_Légende_: HORATIO GATES DUCI PROVIDO COMITIA AMERICANA.
_Revers_: Le général ennemi, à la tête de son armée, présente son épée au général Gates, à la tête de l'armée américaine.
_Légende_: SALUS PROVINCIARUM SEPTENTRIONALIUM. (p. xxxvii)
_Exergue_: HOSTE AD SARATOGAM IN DEDITIONEM ACCEPTO DIE 17 8{bris} 1777.
_Pour Monsieur Green._
D'un côté sa tête.
_Légende_: NATHANIELI GREEN EGREGIO DUCI COMITIA AMERICANA.
_Revers_: La Victoire foulant aux pieds des armes brisées.
_Légende_: SALUS PROVINCIARUM AUSTRALIUM.
_Exergue_: HOSTIBUS AD EUTAW DEBELLATIS DIE ... 1781.
Vendredi 13 mai 1785.
- - - - -
D'après des observations des commissaires, on a cru devoir changer, dans les deux médailles du général Gates et du général Green, le mot _Provinciarum_ en celui de _Regionum_. Et dans les médailles de Gates, du côté de la tête, au lieu de _Duci provido_ on a mis _Duci strenuo_.
Vendredi 25 novembre 1785.
- - - - -
Monsieur le secrétaire a fait encore la lecture d'une lettre du colonel Humphreys, secrétaire d'ambassade de l'Amérique, par laquelle il prie l'académie, au nom du Congrès, de faire trois médailles votées par le même Congrès; l'une pour le général Morgan, la seconde pour le colonel Washington, la troisième pour le colonel Howard.
La délibération a été remise à huitaine selon l'usage.
Mardi 6 décembre 1785.
- - - - -
On a nommé, pour rédiger les sujets de médailles demandées par le Congrès des États-Unis de l'Amérique, Messieurs Barthélémy, Des Brequigny, Le Blond, Brotier.
Mardi 13 décembre 1785.
- - - - -
Monsieur le secrétaire a lu les trois projets de médailles arrêtés par les commissaires pour les médailles du général Morgan et des colonels Washington et Howard, les voici:
_Pour le général Morgan._
_Type_: Le général à la tête de ses troupes, charge l'armée ennemie qui prend la fuite.
_Légende_: VICTORIA LIBERTATIS VINDEX.
_Exergue_: CÆSIS AUT CAPTIS AD COWPENS HOSTIUM ... SIGNIS RELATIS ... 17 JAN. 1781.
_Revers_: L'Amérique, reconnaissable à son écusson, appuie sa main gauche sur un trophée d'armes et de drapeaux, et de la droite couronne le général incliné devant elle.
_Légende_:[22] N. MORGAN DUCI EXERCITUS.
[Footnote 22: Abbreviation of NOMEN, name, or of NESCIO, I know not.]
_Exergue_: COMITIA AMERICANA ANNO ...
_Pour le colonel Washington._ (p. xxxviii)
_Type_: Le colonel, à la tête d'un petit nombre de soldats, fond sur l'ennemi, qui commence à prendre la fuite, et que lui montre la Victoire, placée au-dessus de sa tête.
_Légende_: N. WASHINGTON LEGIONIS N. PRÆFECTO.
_Exergue_: COMITIA, etc.
_Revers_: L'inscription suivante doit être gravée dans une couronne de lauriers:
QUOD PARVA MILITUM MANU STRENUE PROSECUTUS HOSTES VIRTUTIS INGENITÆ PRÆCLARUM SPECIMEN DEDIT IN PUGNA APUD COWPENS 17 JAN. 1781.
_Pour le colonel Howard._
Même type, même légende au nom près.
Même exergue qu'à la précédente.
Au _Revers_: Dans une couronne de lauriers:
QUOD IN NUTANTEM HOSTIUM ACIEM SUBITO IRRUENS PRÆCLARUM BELLICÆ VIRTUTIS SPECIMEN DEDIT IN PUGNA APUD COWPENS 17 JAN. 1781.
[Translation.]
_Register of the Meetings and Deliberations of the Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres during the year 1785._
Friday, April 8, 1785.
- - - - -
The secretary communicated a letter from Mr. Humphreys, formerly a colonel in the service of the United States, in which he asks for three medals for Messrs. Washington, General Gates and General Green. He sends at the same time information concerning the deeds of these three persons.
The academy postponed for a week the consideration of these three medals.
Tuesday, April 19, 1785.
- - - - - After these different arrangements, the medals asked by the Congress of America considered, and the gentlemen academicians were invited to bring suggestions for these medals at the (p. xxxix) following meeting, at which it was agreed that commissioners should be named to compose these medals.
Friday, April 22, 1785.
- - - - -
M. Dacier then read the proposals for the three medals for the three American general officers; after they had been thoroughly discussed, Messrs. Barthélémy, Dupuy, Brotier, and Le Blond, were appointed to report on them.
Tuesday, April 26, 1785.
- - - - -
M. Dacier, the perpetual secretary, then read the subjects of the medals asked for by Congress for the three general officers.
_For Mr. Washington._
On one side, his head.
_Legend_: GEORGIO WASHINGTON SUPREMO DUCI EXERCITUUM ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS.
_Exergue_: COMITIA AMERICANA.
_Reverse_: The taking of Boston, the English army fleeing toward the shore to embark, etc.
_Legend_: HOSTIBUS or ANGLIS PRIMUM FUGATIS.
_Exergue_: BOSTONIUM RECUPERATUM DIE 17 MARTII ANNO 1776.
_For Mr. Gates._
On one side, his head.
_Legend_: HORATIO GATES DUCI PROVIDO COMITIA AMERICANA.
_Reverse_: The enemy's general at the head of his army, surrenders his sword to General Gates, at the head of the American army.
_Legend_: SALUS PROVINCIARUM SEPTENTRIONALIUM.
_Exergue_: HOSTE AD SARATOGAM IN DEDITIONEM ACCEPTO DIE 17 8{bris} 1777.
_For Mr. Green._
On one side, his head.
_Legend_: NATHANIELI GREEN EGREGIO DUCI COMITIA AMERICANA.
_Reverse_: Victory treading under her feet broken arms.
_Legend_: SALUS PROVINCIARUM AUSTRALIUM.
_Exergue_: HOSTIBUS AD EUTAW DEBELLATIS DIE ... 1781.
Friday, May 13, 1783.
- - - - -
After observations by the commissioners, it was thought proper to change, in the two medals of General Gates and of General Green, the word _Provinciarum_ to that of _Regionum_. And in the medal of Gates, on the side of the head, instead of _Duci provido_ to substitute _Duci strenuo_.
Friday, November 25, 1785. (p. xl)
- - - - -
The secretary also read a letter of Colonel Humphreys, Secretary of Embassy of America, in which he requested the academy, in the name of Congress, to compose three medals voted by the same Congress: one for General Morgan, the second for Colonel Washington, the third for Colonel Howard.
The discussion was laid over, according to custom, until next week.
Tuesday, December 6, 1785.
- - - - -
Messrs. Barthélémy, Des Brequigny, Le Blond, and Brotier, were named to compose the medals asked for by the Congress of the United States of America.
Tuesday, December 13, 1785.
- - - - -
The secretary read the three reports agreed upon by the commissioners for the medals for General Morgan and Colonels Washington and Howard, as follows:
_For General Morgan._
_Device_: The general, at the head of his troops, charges the army of the enemy, which takes to flight.
_Legend_: VICTORIA LIBERTATIS VINDEX.
_Exergue_: CÆSIS AUT CAPTIS AD COWPENS HOSTIUM ... SIGNIS RELATIS ... 17 JAN. 1781.
_Reverse_: America, recognizable by her shield, rests her left hand upon a trophy of arms and of flags, and with her right crowns the general, who bends before her.
_Legend_: N. MORGAN DUCI EXERCITUS.
_Exergue_: COMITIA AMERICANA ANNO ...
_For Colonel Washington._
_Device_: The colonel, at the head of a few soldiers, rushes on the enemy, who begin to fly, and whom Victory, hovering over his head, points out to him.
_Legend_: N. WASHINGTON LEGIONIS N. PRÆFECTO.
_Exergue_: COMITIA, etc.
_Reverse_: The following inscription to be engraved in a crown of laurel:
QUOD PARVA MILITUM MANU STRENUE PROSECUTUS HOSTES VIRTUTIS INGENITÆ PRÆCLARUM SPECIMEN DEDIT IN PUGNA APUD COWPENS 17 JAN. 1781.
_For Colonel Howard._ (p. xli)
Same device, same legend, excepting the name.
Same exergue as the preceding.
_Reverse_: Within a crown of laurel:
QUOD IN NUTANTEM HOSTIUM ACIEM SUBITO IRRUENS PRÆCLARUM BELLICÆ VIRTUTIS SPECIMEN DEDIT IN PUGNA APUD COWPENS 17 JAN. 1781
* * * * *
C
Je soussigné Augustin Dupré, graveur en médaille[23] et médailliste de l'Académie Royal de Peinture et Sculpture.