The Medallic History of the United States of America Part 28

That the thanks of the United States, in Congress a.s.sembled, be presented to His Excellency Count de Gra.s.se, for his display of skill and bravery in attacking and defeating the British fleet off the Bay of Chesapeake, and for his zeal and alacrity in rendering, with the fleet under his command, the most effectual and distinguished aid and support to the operations of the allied army in Virginia.

That the thanks of the United States, in Congress a.s.sembled, be presented to the commanding and other officers of the corps of artillery and engineers of the allied army, who sustained extraordinary fatigue and danger in their animated and gallant approaches to the lines of the enemy.

That General Washington be directed to communicate to the other officers and soldiers under his command the thanks of the United States, in Congress a.s.sembled, for their conduct and valour on this occasion:

_Resolved_, That the United States, in Congress a.s.sembled, will cause to be erected, at York, in Virginia, a marble column, adorned with emblems of the alliance between the United States and His Most Christian Majesty, and inscribed with a succinct narrative of the surrender of Earl Cornwallis to His Excellency General Washington, commander-in-chief of the combined forces of America and France, to His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, commanding the auxiliary troops of His Most Christian Majesty in America, and to His Excellency the Count de Gra.s.se, commanding-in-chief the naval army of France in Chesapeake.

_Resolved_, That two stands of colours taken from the British army under the capitulation of York, be presented to His Excellency General Washington, in the name of the United States in Congress a.s.sembled.

_Resolved_, That two pieces of the field ordnance, taken from the British army under the capitulation of York, be presented by the commander-in-chief of the American army to Count de Rochambeau; and that there be engraved thereon a short memorandum, that Congress were induced to present them from considerations of the ill.u.s.trious part which he bore in effectuating the surrender.

_Resolved_, That the Secretary of Foreign Affairs be directed to request the Minister Plenipotentiary of His Most Christian Majesty, to inform his Majesty that it is the wish of Congress that Count de Gra.s.se may be permitted to accept a testimony of their approbation, similar to that to be presented to Count de Rochambeau.

_Resolved_, That the Board of War be directed to present to Lieutenant-Colonel Tilghman, in the name of the United States in Congress a.s.sembled, a horse properly caparisoned, and an elegant sword, in testimony of their high opinion of his merit and ability.

Monday, October 29, 1781.

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_Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston._ (p. 090)

To the Honourable Robert R. LIVINGSTON, Pa.s.sy, March 4, 1782.

Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

Sir: - - - - -

This puts me in mind of a medal I have had a mind to strike since the late great event[55] you gave me an account of, representing the United States by the figure of an infant Hercules in his cradle, strangling the two serpents; and France by that of Minerva, sitting by as his nurse, with her spear and helmet, and her robe specked with a few "_fleurs-de-lis_". The extinguishing of two entire armies in one war is what has rarely happened, and it gives a presage of the future force of our growing empire....

With great esteem, B. FRANKLIN.

[Footnote 55: The surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown, which took place October 19, 1781.]

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_Benjamin Franklin to Sir William Jones._

To Sir William JONES. Pa.s.sy, March 17, 1783.

Sir: - - - - -

The engraving of my medal, which you know was projected before the peace, is but just finished. None are yet struck in hard metal, but will be in a few days. In the meantime, having this good opportunity by Mr. Penn, I send you one of the "_epreuves_".

You will see that I have profited by some of your ideas, and adopted the mottoes you were so kind as to furnish....

B. FRANKLIN.

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_Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston._

To the Honourable Robert R. LIVINGSTON, Pa.s.sy, April 15, 1783.

Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

Sir: I have caused to be struck here the medal which I formerly mentioned to you, the design of which you seemed to approve. I enclose one in silver for the President of Congress and one in copper for yourself. The impression on copper is thought to appear best; and you will soon receive a number for the members.

I have presented one to the King and another to the Queen, (p. 091) both in gold; and one in silver to each of the ministers, as a monumental acknowledgment, which may go down to future ages, of the obligations we are under to this nation. It is mighty well received, and gives general pleasure. If the Congress approve of it, as I hope they will, I may add something on the die (for those to be struck hereafter) to shew that it was done by their order, which I could not venture to do till I had authority for it.

With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN.

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_Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston._

To the Honourable Robert R. LIVINGSTON, Pa.s.sy, July 22, 1783.

Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

Sir: I made the Grand Master of Malta a present of one of our medals in silver, writing to him a letter of which I enclose a copy, and I believe our people will be kindly received in his port.

With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant.

B. FRANKLIN.

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_Benjamin Franklin to the Grand Master of Malta._

To His Eminent Highness THE GRAND MASTER OF MALTA. Pa.s.sy, 6 April, 1783.

My Lord: I have the honour to address to Your Eminent Highness the medal which I have lately had struck. It is an Homage of grat.i.tude, my Lord, which is due to the interest you have taken in our cause and we no less owe it to your virtues and to Your Eminent Highnesses wise Administration of Government.

Permit me, my Lord, to demand your protection for such of our citizens as circ.u.mstances may lead to your ports. I hope that Your Eminent Highness will be pleased to grant it to them and kindly receive the a.s.surances of the profound respect with which I am, my Lord,

Your Eminent Highnesses most humble and most obedient servant, B. FRANKLIN.

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_The Grand Master of Malta to Benjamin Franklin._ (p. 092)

To His Excellency B. FRANKLIN. Malta, 21 June, 1783.

Sir: I received with the most lively sensibility the medal which Your Excellency sent me, and the value I set upon this acquisition leaves my grat.i.tude unbounded. This monument of American liberty has a distinguished place in my cabinet.

Whenever chance or commerce shall lead any of your fellow citizens or their vessels into the ports of our Island, I shall receive them with the greatest Welcome, they shall experience from me every a.s.sistance they may claim. I shall observe with infinite pleasure any growing connection between that interesting nation and my subjects, especially if it will tend to convince Your Excellency of the distinguished sentiments with which I am,

Sir, Your Excellency's most affectionate servant, The Grand Master, ROHAN.

No. 15. (p. 093) PLATE XV.