The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-04-12
RELIC OF NAPOLEON.
MEDALLION STRUCK TO COMMEMSA
RATE Tssg LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
To Be shown at St. Louis Fair In
Connection with United States
Exhibit-CuriouS Souvenir of Eurly
Diplomatic Service.
Especial correspondence.

st. Louis. April 7.-Hon. W. II.
Michael, who represents the depart
ment of state on the United States
government board, has recently par
chased several articles which will add
interest to the exhibit of his depart
ment at the Louisiana Purchase expo
sition. Conspicuous among these is a
bronze medallion bearing the heads of
Napoleon l. and Marie Louise, struck
off by order of the emperor to COM
memorate the Louisiana purchase. Tn
derneath the two finely executed heads
is an American eagle under an aureole
of stars. Surrounding the medallion is
scroll emblaZoned with emblems
typifying the amity which existed be-
tween France and America. The
whole is inclosed in an old gold frame
which dates back to the days of the
empire 1t was the property of one Of
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
a 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 M. Girot, a
wealthy citizen of New Orleans. His
lieutenant was M. Peugney Of st.
Leuis, an ex~officer in Napoleon's 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.
M. Girot furnished the money and
M. Peugney the naval and military
experience to fit up vessel, manned
by sailors and soldiers who had been
carefully drilled in the, suburbs OF
New Orleans to climb rock escarp-
ments. 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.
They wer so confident of his rescue
that M. Gfrot built and furnished an
elegant home for Napoieon's occupancy
on Rue st. Louis In New Orleans. Tl.,s
house was an object of interest for
generations in New Orleans, and its To-
cation can still be pointed out. ae
grandsons of NJ. Peugney, now promi
nent citizens of st. Louis, possess a
chest of documents and Napoleonic
that would prove invaluable
additions to any Napoleonic museum.
These documents have never been
1t is said that some of
these came from ST. Helena after Ma
poIeon's death. -
Recently | was discussing the pro-
posed Girot expedition with a United
States consul stationed in Canada. He
knew the story and promised to send
me further proofs Of 1t from the fam
lily Of a distinguished French refugee
who also had many manuscript papers
bearing on the same subject as well as
documents showing that many French
Canadians contributed money and men
to NJ. Girot's expedition. .s.s
Another curiosity Major Michael has
purchased is the lapel of coat which |
gives one an idea Of the gorgeous uni
,orm once worn by our diplomatic and |
officers. This lapel is of blue
broadcloth covered with acorns and |
,ak leaves embroidered with gold |
thread. -9es -.-- .as-@
It has history. A Virginian was |
lent to the court at Versailles as Amer |
can minister. Secretary Of State Liv- |
ngston had prescribed regulation |
Uniform, the official plans of which
will be ON exhibition at ST. Louis. The |
,ficial tailor was Mr.. Loudoun, from |
Virginia, whose shop was opposite the
United States treasury in Washington.
Fhe new minister. gay young bach
.lor, ordered the uniform and started |
or his post, where he appeared, ac-
,ording to Livingston's requirements,
esplendent in knee breaches, gold buc.
Ties, short sword, cooked hat and
,oat of blue broadcloth elaborately
in gold braid.
He remained in France a year or
wo, came back to Washington, met,
ell in love with and married a Vir-
,fnia girl. He was, hard up for funds,
% he left his costly diplomatic coat in
dr. 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
'ery democratic, abolished the diplo-
matte and consular uniform.
The minister had no further use for
ne gold embroidered coat, so he went
It without redeeming it, and Mr.. Lou
Lolln had tn remove and sell tho pold |