The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-04-16
RELIC OF NAPOLEON.
MEDALLI0N STRUCK TO COMMEW<:>
RATE Tttsj LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
To Be Shown at ST. Louis Fair In
Connection WIKI United states
ExhihIt-Curi"u& Snuvcnir of E.sT9
Diplomatic Service.
. So ci2l ,'"rrpsDunA i"

St L"ni,, A~rI +. ,Io:A ". II
Michael. w r>!H'y....,, IT, 3cI."rt
ment Of <.s1" on T. -:-.,. s',at.
goyv1"4>Yt ,.oa,' .,:S "-.Ht'" I".~
cha: i .>a*s.~L articles 49,. '.5H Co..
interest e. t.. .A'-;,t ~ ..~ e.,! .3.t-
mont IT. Tire l.uu,.:.y. IT,, -, ..,,- -
sition. 80 .*.n~".un~ f'z - . =. L. y
bronze In.,.uIlt NJ t-.3...:.. L.. .,-.'@ ,.
Napoh or /. and 1t.J.. I.ou:-,. Srv@.,
off by order Ct t.. ',4p.ra. +. cos:
menorute the Louisiana pure.;.=v. IN
dcrneath the two nu,ly rXrvat.'. .:vge.~
is an American eagle uu,ler an ;.uts c:>'
OF stars. Surrounding the IncdaiIion i;
scroll embIazouod with 4lnhL"nS
IMPLYING the amity which existed b"
tween France and America I'll"
whole is inclosed in an old gold frame
which dates back to the days Of IL .
empire. i was the prop rty of one o.
Napoleon's generals, and Major
| Michael got it direct from the grand
daughter of the original owner, to
whom it descended.
The medallion and its symbols re-
call the fact that Napoleon once had
strong following in the section in
cluded in the Louisiana purchase ter
ritory and in Canada and that great
sympathy was felt for him when he
was banished to st. Helena, This
sympathy found frequent expression in
the newspapers, songs and poems OF
that epoch.
The most substantial movement in
his favor started in New Orleans and
extended to st. Louis and Canada. The
originator of it was NJ. Girot, 4
wealthy citizen of New Orleans. His
lieutenant was NJ. peugney Of st.
Louis, an eX-officerj in Napoleons ar
my, who had won the cross Of the
Legion of Honor and who was, a near
kinsman of the Count de Montholon,
who shared Napoleon's exile in st.
Helena
Nj. Girot furnished the money and
NJ. Peugney' the naval and military
experience to fit up a vessel, manned
by sailors and soldiers who had been
carefully drilled in the suburbs Of
New Orleans to climb rock escarp-
mcnts. The vessel was ready to sail
when the news of Napoleon's death
reached NM. Girot and peugney. The
object of the expedition was to forci-
bly, rescue Napoleon from his island
prison and bring him to- New Orleans.
s They wer- SO confident of his rescue
that NJ Girot built and furnished IN
elegant home for NapoIeon's occupancy
on Rue St Louis in New Orleans. Tl,s |
house was an object of interest for |
In New Orleans, ard its 10,
cation can still be pointed out. ~. /
grandsons of NJ. Petigney. now promi
nent citizens of st. Louis, possess a
chest of documents and Napoleonse |
that would prove invaluable
additions TO any Napoleonic museum
These documents have never been
translated It is said that some OF /
these came from st. Helena after Ma
poleon's DEATH, ~
Recently ! was discussing the pro-
,osed Girot expedition with United
States consul stationed in Canada. ,ie.
Knew the story and promised to send /
ne further proafs of ii from the fam
iy of a distinguished French refugee
yho also had many manuscript papers
gearing on the same subject as well as
documents showing that many French
Canadians contributed money and men
o NJ. Girot's expedition
Another curiosity Major Michael has
purchased is the lapel OF coat which
sives one an idea of the gorgeous uni
orm once worn by our diplomatic and
consular officers This lapel is of blue
,roadcloth covered with .acerns and
AK leaves embroidered with gold
bread .z .t III.
1t has history. A Nirginian was
ent to the court at Versailles as Amer
can minister. Secretary of State Iiv- !
ngston had prescribed a regulation
inform, the official plans of which 1
will be on exhibition at St Louis. The
Hlcial tailor was MIR. Loudoun, from
firginia, whose shop was opposite the
United States treasury ia Washington
The new minister, q gay young bach
lor. ordered the uniform and started
e.
or his post. where he appeared, ac-
ording to Livingstol's requirements,
IN knee breeehes, gold buc-
lies, short sword, cooked hat aud a
,oat of blue broadcloth deliberately
embroidered i'll gold braid. IT,,
He remained in France a year or
,Wo, came back to Washington. met,
ell in love with and married a Vir-
sfnia girl. He was hard up for funds.
10 he left his costly diplomatic coat in
VI. Loudoun's hands as security for
he dress suit in which he was mar
led. In the meantime the admins
ration changed, and William L. Mar
y, the new secretary OF state, being
rery democratic abolished the diplo-
matte and consular uniform.
The minister had no further use for
the gold embroidered coat, SO he went
DIT without redeeming it, and Mr.. Lou
loun had to remove and sell the gold