The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-29
NAP OLEON MEDAL
FOR ST. LOUIS FAIR
Struck Off as Souvenir Of
Louisiana Purchase.
or INTEREST HISTORICALLY
Embroidered Lapel of an American
Diplomats Coat Also to Be Shown
in Government Exhibit.

Hon. W. H. Michael. who represents
the Department Of State on tie United
states Government board. has recently
purchased several articles which viii
add interest TO the exhibit OF his de
partment at ST. Louis.
Conspicuous among these is a bronze
medallion bearing he heads Of Napoleon
, and Marie Louise struck Of by order
Of the Emperor TO commemorate the
/ Louisiana Purchase. Underneath the
Two finely executed heads is an Ameri-
can eagle under an aurcole OF stars.
Surrounding the medallion is scroll
I embiazoned with emblems typifying the
/ amity which existed between France and
/ America. The whole is incIoscd in an
old gold frame which dates back to the
days of the empire.
| Il was the property Of one OF Napo-
/ Icons generals. and Major Michael got
/ il direct from the granddaughter OF the
/ original owner. 10 whom it, descended
/ The medallion and its symbols recall
I the fact that Napoleon once had a strong
/ following ia the section included in the
3 Louisiana Purchase territory and in
: Canada. and great sympathy found fire.
/ quCnt expression i'm the newspapers
I songs. and poems OF that epoch
The most substantial movement in his
/ favor started I'm New Orleans and ex-
/ tended TO ST. Louis and Canada.
/ Expedition to St. Helena.
/ The originator OF il was a Monsieur
! Girot, wealthy cit zen Of St Louis
/ His lieutenant was Monsieur Peugney,
/ Of ST. Louis. an ex-oficer in Napoleons
army. who had won the Cross OF the Lee
gion OF Honor. and who was near kins-
man Of the Count de Montholon. who
/ shared NapoIeon's exile i'm St. Helena.
I NJ. Girot furnished the money and NJ
/ Peugney the naval and military exper-
1 fence 10 1T up vessel manned by
/ sailors and soldiers who had been care
/ fully drilled in the suburbs Of New Or
/ leans. 10 climb rock escarpments- The
vessel was ready to sail when the news
/ OF Napoleon's death reached NM Girot
and Peugney.
/ The object of the expedition was 10
rescue Napoleon from his island prison
and bring him 10 New Orleans They
were so confident OF his rescue that NJ
Girot built and furnished an elegant
home for Napoleon's occupancy on Rue
81. Louis IN New Orleans. This house was
an object OF interest for generations in
! New Orleans. and It's location can stiII
! be pointed out. The grandsons OF NJ
Peugney, now prominent citizens OF 81
/ / outs, possess a chest or documents and
! Napoleonic souvenirs that would prove
invaluable additions 60 any Napoleonic
museum. These documents have never
been translated. Il is said some OF these
came from ST. Helena after Napoleon s
death
A Coat With a History.
Another curiosity Major Michael has
purchased is the lapel OF coat which
gives one an idea Of the gorgeous uni
form once worn BY our diplomatic and
consular officers. This lapel is OF blue
broadcloth covered with acorns and oak
Ileaves embroidered with gold thread. II
has history. a Virginian was sent to
the court at Versailles as American min
lister. Secretary OF State Livingston had
prescribed a regulation uniform. the OH
cial plans or which viii be on exhibition /
at ST. Louis The official tailor was !
Mr. LOudoun. from Virginia. whose shop /
was opposite the United States Treasury. (
The new minister. gay young bachelor. /
ordered the Uniform and started for his /
post where he appeared according 10 /
Livingston's requirements. Respondent /
in knee breeches. gold buckles. short
sword cooked hat and a coat Of blue /
broadcloth deliberately embroidered in /
gold braid.
He remained in France a year or two /
came back TO Washington, met. fell in /
love with, and married a Virginia sIrI /
He was hard up for funds so he left his I
costly diplomatic coat in Mr. Loudoun's /
hands as security for the dress suit /
IN which he was married In the mean /
time the Administration changed ana
William l.. Marcy. the new ScCrctar. .
OF state, being very democratic, abol-
ished the diplomatic and consular urI-
form The minister had no further use
for the gold embroidered coat and he !
went on without rpdeeming it and Nj.
LOudOun had 10 remove and sell the ]
gold braid 10 reimburse him for the /
dress suit.
The lapel was kept as a souvenir OF I
The incident. Mr. Michael heard OF il |
and procured lt for his department at I
Americans as well as Europeans viii I
be surprised 20 see that the United /
states did not always require IT'S dipIo- !
matte and consular officers 10 appear il /
ordinary evening dress. bur that once /
upon a time Uncle Sans foreign repre- /
sentative wore uniform as gorgeous 1
~ anybody.