The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 | Page 6

therefore thinks that both of Mr. Jefferson's hints should be improved, to wit, that a series of these medals should be presented to each of the crowned heads in Europe, and that one of each set be deposited in each of the American colleges. He presumes that Mr. Jefferson does not mean that any should be presented to the King of Great Britain, for it would not be delicate; nor that by crowned heads he meant to exclude free states from the compliment, for to make discriminations would give offense.
In the judgment of your secretary it would be proper to instruct Mr. Jefferson to present in the name of the United States one silver medal of each denomination to every monarch (except His Britannic Majesty), and to every sovereign and independent state without exception in Europe; and also to the Emperor of Morocco. That he also be instructed to send fifteen silver medals of each set to Congress, to be by them presented to the thirteen (p.?xix) United States respectively, and also to the Emperor of China with an explanation and a letter, and one to General Washington. That he also be instructed to present a copper medal of each denomination to each of the most distinguished universities (except the British) in Europe, and also to Count de Rochambeau, to Count d'Estaing, and to Count de Grasse; and, lastly, that he be instructed to send to Congress two hundred copper ones of each set, together with the dies.
Your secretary thinks that of these it would be proper to present one to each of the American colleges, one to the Marquis de la Fayette, and one to each of the other major-generals who served in the late American army; and that the residue with the dies be deposited in the Secretary's Office of the United States, subject to such future orders as Congress may think proper to make respecting them.
It might be more magnificent to give gold medals to sovereigns, silver ones to distinguished persons, and copper ones to the colleges; but, in his opinion, the nature of the American Governments, as well as the state of their finance, will apologize for their declining the expense.
All which is submitted to the wisdom of Congress.
John JAY.
The records of the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres show that in 1789, at the request of Mr. Jefferson, it also composed designs for the medals awarded by Congress to General Wayne, Major Stewart, and Captain John Paul Jones.[7] Mr. Jefferson had previously had an interview with M. Augustin Dupr�� on the subject, as will be seen by the following note, the original of which is in Mr. Jefferson's handwriting:[8]
[Footnote 7: See D, page xli.]
[Footnote 8: For the French originals of this and the following letter, see E, page xliv.]
To M. DUPR��, Engraver of Medals and Medallist of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture.
Mr. Jefferson having received orders concerning medals to be struck would like to talk about them with M. Dupr��, if he will please do him the honour to call on him to-morrow morning before eleven o'clock.
Saturday, January 3, 1789.
In the following month, Mr. Jefferson again wrote to M. Dupr��, (p.?xx) inclosing descriptions of the designs for the medals of General Morgan and of Admiral Jones. The reader will note some slight differences between these and those originally composed by the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres:
To M. DUPR��, Engraver of Medals and Medallist of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture.
Mr. Jefferson has the honour to send to M. Dupr�� the devices for the medals for General Morgan and Rear-Admiral Paul Jones, which he has just received from the Academy of Belles-Lettres, and the making of which he proposes to M. Dupr��, the latter to be responsible for the success of the dies up to the striking of three hundred and fifty of each medal in gold, silver, or bronze, and to furnish proofs in tin at the end of the month of March next, so that the medals may all be struck before the 15th of April. He begs him to kindly mention the conditions on which he will undertake them, and Mr. Jefferson will have the honour to reply on receipt of them.
February 13, 1789.
Medal for General Morgan, of twenty-four lignes in diameter.
The general, at the head of his army, charges the enemy, which takes to flight.
Legend: VICTORIA LIBERTATIS VINDEX.
Exergue: FUGATIS CAPTIS AUT C?SIS AD COWPENS HOSTIBUS 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: DANIELI MORGAN DUCI EXERCITUS.
Exergue: COMITIA AMERICANA.
Medal for Rear-Admiral John Paul Jones, of twenty-four (p.?xxi) lignes.
Device: His head (M. Houdon will furnish the bust in plaster).
Legend: JOANNI PAULO JONES CLASSIS PR?FECTO.
Exergue: COMITIA AMERICANA.
Reverse: Naval Engagement.
Legend: