Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-09-08
have been unable to discover anything of it

have been unable to discover anything OF 1t,
Ii is not to bo found in the collection oi
coins at the museum Of the mint, neither Is
1t mentioned in any French work IN the
| library" This was rather discouraglng,
but correspondence opened between the
director OF the United States Mint and Pro-
fessor Jules Marceau, of Cambridge. result
ed in securing for Government the original
lead impression of the medal, and the story
of its long existence.
Professor Marceau writes: "In 1866.
after discovering the existence OF the frst
Fourth of July medal, asked my friend
Pelouze, then director Of the Mint In Paris.
to institute researches aboCt it. He found
nothing. not only among the dies, but also
among the papers and collections OF coins
and medals. The Vattemere collections at
the National Library does not possess 1t,
and | have no doubt Of its great rarity.
Dupres' son told me he had
faint recollection of his father IS ying that
one of qis medals, engraved by order OF DR..
Franklin for the Congress of America,
never reached that country, but was de-
stroyed by storm or captured BY an Eng
lish privateer He was unable to affirm
which Of the medals. Very likely it was
this one. Where is the die? IL is not in
lOOhCu iOl ~ oJnC y OoAo
ago, and had conversation with Dupres'
son, since dead NJ Gatreau, also son Of
the eDgraver of that name, during the
reign OF Louis XVI. had two copies in
bronze of this medal, both .tluer de com. He
declined to part with them At any price.
Since then they have been destroyed, with
all his collection OF pictures. sculptures and
drawings, By the Communists, In May, 1871,
his hotel having been entirely burned by
these modern barbarians.
| have tde original lead proof from Dupres
son. II you think it right 10 have it en-
grayed for the Centenary will put i; at
your service tor that purpose"
DR.. Linderman was happy to avail him
self of the Professor 3 offer. and promptly
ordered the reproduction Of the medal
FOR THE CENTENNIAL.
1t is a very pleasing incident that i: ill be
feature of the Centenary of that Fourth
OF July which 1t was ordered to commem-
orate, and many thanks are due the Dlrec-
tor OF the Mint for the perseverance with
which be has carried out the graceful pro-
iect. The production by Z. Barrer Is finely
execu ted. and the bronzing exceptionally
beautiful. The design Of this medal Is sim
pie and elegant. Diverse. the eagle dis
/.
claw an olive branch IN his left thirteen
arrows from his beak a scroll inscribed
- Pluribus Unum." Above Is "a sun OF
thirteen stars, from which issue ravs pass
ing through circle of clouds, and extend
ing below the wings of the eagle. Legend
encircing, The United States of Aneri-
ca" Reverse inscription, To Peace and
Commerce. m erergue, " Jul,
MDCCLAXVI (July 4, 1876 } To the right,
Dupres +. Figure OF an Indian Queen seat
Cd. rersOniiying America in her right
hand IS a cOrnucopia of fruit and grain
by her side are bales, barrel and an an;
chor. to which she points. Mercury has
just aligh,ed and extends to her his right
hand, welcoming her into the family OF ma
tions. Beyond Mercury Is the ocean, and
on the extreme left Is the fore part Of a ship,
and still farther on is land. Added, when
reproduced, IN eIergue. {. BaTrer. 1876. Ii
was gracious thought on the part OF our
farefathers to have this medal produced a.
a diplomatic courtesy, and seems part of
the proud ceremonial Of those days /, re-
calls the acts Of decOrum which distinguish
cd them as men of high association and OBJ
servant Of the amenities of lie. public and
private. They Individually appear, a; the
distance Of generations. worthy OF our
highest admiration ; and the best sign We
perceive OF better thiogs. IN this money
getting and loving age, Is the development
Of higher reverence for the heroes Of &c.
In pursuing this thought suggestion
arises which NAV a. well be submitted t.
this country Would it not be appropriate
as a national memorial. to order gold med
AIS struck ircm this reproduced die. and
formally presented 10 each Government
which has teen courteous enough to re-
spond to our Centennial invitation ? Let 4
chain be attached with the signihcent hun
dred links
ELlzaBETu BRYANT JOHNSTON
Washington, d. C.. July 1, 1876.