Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-04-20
The Original w.shIastea EedaI.


The original gold medal which was pre-
sented 10 George Washington BY the
American Congress in 1875, commemora-
tive of The evacuation Of Boston BY the
British troops. has recently been pur..
chased from the Washington family and
presented TO the public library Of the city
az Boston. The valuable relic, so pc
culisr.y interesting to Boston ~ comnem-
.exaiing the most important event In her
history, was purchased for - 900 by va
rious wealthy citizens, and through His
Honor the Mayor IL was last evening CON-
united 10 the library trustecs in accordance
with the wishes Of The donors.
When the Continental Congress re-
ceiyed intelligence Of the evacuation of
Boston they resolved :. that the thanks Of
the body. Ia their own name, and In the
name of the thirteen United Colonies
whom they represent be presented 10
General Washington and the officers ana
soldiers under his command, for their
wise and spirited conduct at the siege and
ACQUISITION Of Boston, and that medal
be struck In communication OF this great
event and presented % His Excellency,
and that a committee Of three be appoint
ed TO prepare letter Of thanks and a
proper device for the medal. " The com
mittcc appointed consisted Of John Ad.
ans, John Jay and Stephen Hancock
Mr.. Hancock. In q letter TO General
Washington from Philadelphia, April 2,
1TT6, said.
lit gives me the most sensible pleasure
70 convey 10 you. by order Of Congress,
the only tribute which free people VIII
ever consent 10 pay, the tribute OF thanks
and gratitude 10 their benefactors. The
disinieresicd and patriotic principles
which led you To the field have also LED
you 20 glory; and II affords no little
compensation 10 your countrymcn TO re.
fleet that. as a peculiar greatness OF mind
induced you 10 decline any remuneration
for serving them, except the pleasure Of
promoting their happiness, they may,
without your permission, bestow on you
the largest share Of their affection and es.
teen These pages In the annals OF Amer.
lea will record your title 10 a conspicuous
place in the temple OF fame, which shall
inform postcfity that, under your dircc-
ton. an npdisciplined band OF husband.
men ia the course Of few months became
soldiers, and that the desolaiion medi.
faied against the country, by a brave army
OF veterans. commanded by the most cg-
perienced Generals, but employed by bad
men In the worst causes, was, by the forti.
tude OF your troops and the address OF
their officers, next 10 the kind interposi.
ton of Providence, confined for near q
year within such narrow limits as scarce
ly " admit more room than was ncces-
sary for the encampments and forti1ca-
tioas they totally abandoned Accept,
therefore, sir, the thanks Of the United
Colonies, unanimously declared by their
delegate. 10 he due W you and the brave
officers and troops;under your command,
and I've pleased 10 communicate TO them
this distinguished mark OF the appr0ba-
ton OF their country. The Congress have
ordered golden medal, adapted 70 the &c.
CASTOR, and VIXEN finished TO be presented
10 you"
A private letter from John Adams,
written AT the same time, will show the
lively interest aud the agency which he
took in the affair. . congratulate you"
said Dir Adams, ''as well as all the friends
of mankind, on the reduction OF Boston,
an event which appeared 10 me OF SO great
and decisive importance that the next
morning after the arrival OF the news
did ;Sysclf The honor 20 move for the
thanks OF Congress to Your Excclle Dcy,
and that medal OF gold should be struck
IL cospmcmoration Of ii. Congress has
been pleased TO appoint me, with two
other gentlemen, 10 prepare device. l
should be happy TO have Your Excel.
lcncy's sentiments concerning "A proper
one"
The medal, which Ia of mammoth size
and solid gold, was struck in Paris, and
contains on the diverse a head Of Wash.
ington in profile, exhibiting AN excellent
likeness, and around II is the following