Evening star., 1932-03-06
Capital Sidelights

er in chief Of the Continental Army
by q vote of Congress in ITS. an6
letters Of gratitude and esteem verf
written to him by two distinguished
Massachusetts, statesmen-John Han.
cock and John Adams.
The medal was struck IN Paris and
exhibited the head Of Washington in
profile ON one side and the shore line
of Boston with a feet under sail On
the other. It was at this time he Was
acclaimed ''the young Solomon" "the
youthful strategist without peer" "the
man who won q victory without q
fight"
Among miscellaneous papers relating
to Washington, published as early AZ
1889, Is found this account of the con-
gresslonal gift to washington: When
the Continental Congress received the
nteulgence OF the evacuation Of Bos-
ton, they resolved, That the thanks OF
this Congress, in their own name and
In the name Of the thirteen United
Colonies whom they represent. be pre-
sented to His Excellency, General wash.
ington, and the officers and soldiers
under his command, for their wise and
spirited conduct at the siege and ac-
QUESTION Of Boston; and that a media
be struck In commemoration of the
great event and presented to His Ex-
cellency; and that committee of three
be appointed to prepare a letter OF
thanks and q proper device for the
medal The committee were .yohn
Adams, John Jay and Stephen Hop
kins."
John Hancock, President of the Com
tnental Congress, first signer of the
Declaration OF Independence and later
Governor of Massachusetts. addressed
Washington by letter Concerning the
resolution Of Congress with regard Id
the medal. ~
ITO General Washington.
Philadelphia, 2nd, April, 177e.
Sir: It gives me the most sensible
pleasure to convey to you. bv order of
Congress. the only tribute which a free
people Will ever consent to pav-the
tribute OF thanks and gratitude 10
their friends and benefactors. The
disinterested and patriotic PRINCIPLES
which led you to the field have Also
led you to glory, and It affords no
little consolation to your countrvrnen
to reflect that, as peculiar greatness
OF mind induced you to decline any
compensation for serving them, except
the pleasure Of promoting their happi-
ness, they may, without your pernis-
sion, pestoW upon you the largest
snare OF their affections and esteem.
Those pages in the annals Of Amer
lea Will record your title to q con-
spicuous place In the temple Of fame,
Whcn snail INFORM posterity that, un-
ger your orectlon, an undisciplined
oand OF husoandmen in the course Of q
lew months became soldiers; and that
the oesolation, meditated against the
commanded by the most experienced
generals, but employed by bad men In
the worst of causes, was, BY the forti-
tude OF your troops and the address of
their omcers, next to the kind inter-
position OF Providence, confined for
near year within such narrow limits
as scarcely to admit more room than
was necessary for the encampments
and Notifications they lately aban-
doned. Accept therefore, Sir. the
thanks Of the United Colonies, unani-
mously declared by their delegates to
be due to you and the brave officers
ana troops under your command; and
be pleased to communicate to them
this distinguished mark of the appro-
baton Of their country. The Congress
have ordered a golden medal adapted
to the occasion to be struck, and when
to be presented to you.
Il have the honour to be, with every
sentiment Of esteem, Sir, your most
obedient and very humble servant,
JOHN HANCOCK, President"
At the same time, John Adams wrote
a private letter to General Washington,
expressing his interest, enthusiasm and
"Sir: congratulate you, as well as
all the friends Of mankind, on the re-
duction Of Boston, an event which ap-
pears to me Of SO great and decisive
Importance that, the next morning
after the arrival of the news, I did
myself the honour to move for the
thanks Of Congress to your Excellency,
and that medal Of gold should be
struck in commemoration Of 1t. Con-
gress have been pleased to appoint me,
with two other gentlemen to prepare q
device. 7 should be very happy to have
your Excellency's sentiments concern
ing a proper one. I have the honour
to be, with very great respect, Sir, your
most obedient and affectionate servant,
JOHN ADAMS"
The medal itself is described in the
old chronicle in the following manner :
THE medal, which was struck in Paris,
contains on the diverse a head Of
in profile, exhibiting an
excellent likeness, and around 1t the
Georgia Washington Su-
premo Duci Exercituum Adsertori
Libertatis Comitia Americana On the
reverse is the town Of Boston In the
distance, with feet in view under sail
and his officers are on
in the foreground, and he is
to the ships as they depart from
The harbour. The inscription Is: 'Hosti-
o,ls Primo Ftlgatis Bostonium Recuper-
atun XVII Martii MDCCLxXVL.'
The legislature Of Massachusetts,, also
took an early occasion to present to
an address expressive Of
respect and affection. The obligations
If the entire country were commented
IN with deep sincerity and they thanked
the young general warmly for "the
difference he invariably showed to the
,ivil authorities"
washington made q reply, "recipro-
,ating their kind sentiments"
He congratulated them on the victory
which had been effected without the
effusion Of blood" but mtimated that
his share in the great event had been q
mere mdLUcT VI QlcNAlaA 6AiS oll AlO1lcot
duty and that he wished for no reward
other than that arising from sensible
in fulfilling an important
trust. He added that he wished that
mis- services might contribute to the
of freedom and peace,
lpon a permanent foundation. and merit
The applause Of his countrymen and
every virtuous citizen"
Washington's headquarters, when he
sntered Boston, after the evacuation Of
the British, were those which had been
Gen. Howe's, and were situated in the
nome Of Mrs. Edwards, at the head Of
State street. A pleasing story Is told
of the brilliant young general and the
ovely little granddaughter of Mrs. Ed
wards. Washington caught the mite up
n his arms and demanded, smiling, to
know which were her little ladyship's
favorites, "the Redcoats or my ragged
fellows"
THE Redcoats," answered the child
promptly.
my dear" exclaimed the usually
yrave commander in chief, they took
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