Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-09-08
From the Washington Chronicle.
Memorials, Early Csins and Medals.
WASHINGTON METALLIC MEMORIALS.

This memorial will outlast the long delayed
shaft now termed the" Nstion's disgrace"
should that structure, unfortunate a. 1t is,
ever be completed. In this cabinet of med
ais there is ample scope to study the august
proportions of Washington's character.
which grow more harmonious as we look at
them through the vista of = hundred years.
We are amazed, however. to find but one
piece whereon the warrior is presented.
Only the man as he was in the hearts of the
people. and as he was associated with the
development OF his country, and the promo
tion OF the arts OF peace, is perpetuated.
WASHINGTON BEFORE BOSTON.
The medal which makes the exception in
this collection is one of great interest, and
was the first order Of the kind issued by the
Continental Congress. The original medal
vas OF gold, and was intended to commence
rate the " Evacuation Of Boston, March 25.
l776." The diverse has bust OF Washing
ton after Houdon, the reverse a group of
officers upon horseback looking at the en-
barkauon Of British troops. In the dis
tance part of the enemy's ships are passing
down the bay under full sail. The inscrip-
tion, " Hostlbus Primo Fugatis" tells the
story. This medal was executed by Duvi-
rier, under the direction of DR.. Franklin,
while IN Paris. Ii was formally presented
to George " ashington with the resolution
of thanks adopted by Congress at tho time
the order was given. A committee of three
was chosen by Congress TO propose suita-
BILE device for the medal Mr. John Adams,
MIR. Jay, Mr. Hopkins. which device was
forwarded to DR.. Franklin.
WASHINGTON oNE-cEST PIECES"
Washington's judgment and modesty was
shown by his refusal TO allow his bust 10 be
placed upon coins Of the United States. 1t
was no delicate waving OF compliment.
lie acted upon the principle involved. It's
affirmed that " hen several specimens were
shown him to obtain his approval he was In
dIgnant, and ordered the destruction of the
dies, suggesting an ideal head OF Liberty,
which was adopted. 1t was the coin OF
Liberty, not OF Washington. The coin which
Washington refused to have struck because
his head was inscribed upon it, was the
famous Washington one-cent piece Of l79l.
Specimens Of this com are very scarce, and
collectors prize them.
TRENCH MEDAL FOR WASHINGTON.
MtdalIe oftriugs to Washington were
not confined to this country. In l77o
medal was struck in Paris. IL was design
% by NOltaire, the legend OF which Is,
" a>hingtOn reunit par IN rare asssmo!age
lo- talens du guerrier ct les vertus du sage
The reverse Ot this medal is happy con-
eeption. grouping Of martial emblems
surrounded by diverging rays. ashlng-
ton found the Mint an exhaustless source OF
interest. Il i said be visited It daily. The
Gr-t director OF the Mint was David Kitten
house. and We can imagine the cOngenlal
ASSOCIATION Washington had. with the man
Of whom Dr.. Rush could enthusiastically
excaim RItenhOuse, the ingenious,
the modest. the wise; RIttenhouse' the
friend Of GOI and man, l. now no more.
Copper was hr-t coined at Philadelphia
in 1888 silver IN 1884. and gold III 1875.
An Incident J. related in connection with
the first production OF gold coin IN this
country. which illustrates ;he times and
the men While President Washington was
IN the habit OF having his Cihclal family dine
with HIM once i week, upon one OF these
informal occasions be said TO the Director
ofthe Mint, Henry William &c saussure
" l. would give me great pleasure to zee
Eo.d coin iron the United States Mint be-
tore ny term OF Ottce expires. Ihls was
July. Mr. De Sausslre next day called
consultation with his officers, and in OctO-
Der carried hundred golden eagles - the
President.
VARIOUS 2ED1Ls ORDERED BT CONGRESS.
But for want Of space We would take
pleasure 10 describing several OF the medals
conferred upon other distinguished officers
Ct the army and navy by The Congress OF
the United States. Conspicuous among
them is the 80 Wayne Medal, awarded after
the stoTming Of Stony Point, l715, medal
struck for General Green, c0mmemOrating
the battle OF Eutgw Springs, Isl: medal
urcsortld ty Congressional resolutions 10
Paul Jones. October lG, IL. One OF the
most significant Of these metallic memorials
- the one presented to Colonel John bgar
Howard. 10 quote from the resolution oil
Cl--rc~- Because rushing suddenly
aplu the line Of the waycring enemy. he
gave brilliant specimen of morta. bravery
AZ ,he battle u C1wpens, Isl
INDIAN MEDALS.
Another series worth special attention i
that OBJ the various Indian medals, present.
e1 by the Government TO celebrate different
treaties and 20 distinguish the chiefs who
bad kept Their pledged faith. Upon them
arc symbols of commerce and agriculture,
on.y SUCH cnblems as would direct the
mind OF the red man to the arts ct peace,
and higher civilization.
TWO NEw BRITISH MEDALS.
Tw1 bronze medals have Just been re-
ceived hv the directors of the nited States
Mint from Wyou, the Queen OF England :
engraver. IheexccGti0n and finish oi these
medals. which are doubtless as fine as any
produced since the Augusian age. do mi
mite credit 10 Wyon, and the designs are
/ iu.l Of poetic conception.
MEDAL coANIH0RATyE OF AMERICAN INDIE
rENDENCE.
Tie courtesy Of the British Government
was acknowledged by DR.. L.ndermanln IN for
varllng to their Mint a reproduced medal
/ lust now executed at Philadelphia. This
| medal : historically the most interesting
/ exhibited AZ the Centennial 10 Us a people.
! and has been reproduced by order OF the
l directors of the Mint. Ii Is the medal com
rremorntlve of American Independence. July
i. !776. 1t was ordered by President Wash
I ingt0n in 1871, and designed by Thomas Jet
/ fsrson when Secretary OF State. 1t Is not only
valuable because it was the graceful lnten-
ton of these two distinguished men TO have
it q diplomatic medal TO be presented TO
foreign ministers upon leaving our shores
but 1t has " strange eyentiui history not
orcu met with even by metal century
old.
The letters Of Jefferson certify tha. such
an order was given to Dupres, then one OF
tion of Mr.. Jefferson's design, (adopted
with but slight chsnge,) the cost, and the
need of such diplomatic present are lully
given in a letter from the Secretary TO Mr.
William Short, then at Paris. 1t was In
tended to attach chain thereto Ike the old
Roman medailiOns and the cost was to vary
according to the esteem IN which the reclp-
lent was held There is also assurance al
torded IN these letters of Jefferson that tive
medals were struck. one for Marquis de Ia
Luzerne. and the other for Count de Nous
tier. who succeeded Luzerne a minister tC
! this country. The medal for the Marquis
was much hands0mer. the cost being chiefly
regulated by the chain. which Tor this wa
ordered 10 be heavy and composed oil three
hundred and sixty-hye links. Ihls emlnen
diplomat was endeared to the people o
America by the practical humanity ne dis
played toward our suffering troops aroun'
pblladelphia, a matter that required tn
greatest delicacy of the accomplished Min
ister. SO as not to offend the Court OF ST
James. This medal was the first dlplomau
, nresent offered by the United States Govern
msnt. which gracious duty was well per
formed py Thomas Jefferson. as the follow
inp extract from his letter will manifest
r . To Marquis de Ia Lu:erne:
You " i'll receive, sir. by order OF tn
President of the United States, as soon a
! they can be prepared, a medal and chain o
gold, of which he desires your acceptanc
IN token of their esteem, and of the sensl
billty with which they will ever recall you
legation to their memory"
The chain for the medal given Count d
Nonstier was composed of thirteen Ion
Inks. Many inquiries have been made 70
n s;e medals, but as yet their existence i
nor kno wn. and it is feared they may in th
yicissitu,.es of revolutionary France hav
tound their fate in a crucible. \ gold media
was also ord. ,red by the Secretary of Stat
70 be struck, Nut without chain, and at tn
same time DUN 'es was instructed /" to sen
: this medal with be dies to Philadelphia b
: the first safe hand who shall be passing
l ne medal and dies never reached TINS coun
t trv. and their loss. within the last ie'
e months. has not been satisfactorily accoun
= ed fnr Indeed notwit hstanding the incor