The Medallic History of the United States of America Part 34

J'ai l'honneur d'etre tres-parfaitement, Monsieur, votre tres-humble et tres-obeissant serviteur, F. DE MOUSTIER.

[Translation.]

To M. DUPRe, Engraver, Place Dauphine, 10.

I have had the more regret, Sir, at the delay which has happened to the execution of the medal destined for me by the Government of the United States, since I have learned that it was due to causes which have been annoying to you. I hope that a third trial will prove a complete success. I desire it the more ardently since I have seen by the impression in metal at Mr. Short's how gratifying its exhibition will be for a Frenchman abroad who loves to do honor to his compatriots. When it shall be finished I will be much obliged to you if you will please have it sent to me, since Mr. Short is about to leave.

I have the honor to be very truly, Sir, your most humble and very obedient servant, F. DE MOUSTIER.

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_William Short to Thomas Jefferson._ (p. 124)

To the Honourable Thomas JEFFERSON, Paris, February 8th, 1792.

Secretary of State.

Dear Sir: The diplomatic medals ordered so long ago and delayed so unexpectedly for the reasons already given to you have been at length completed and delivered with their chains, that for Mr. de la Luzerne to Mr. de Montmorin, and that for Mr. de Moustier to himself.

I inclose you copies of their prices--the originals with the receipts remain in my hands for your directions--they were paid for, together with 2,400 livres, to the engraver Dupre, by a draft on the bankers at Amsterdam, the whole amounting, as you will see, to 14,570 livres, the exchange, 32-1/2, made 3,946.1.

The nominal price of the chains was more than 6 livres and 13 livres 10--gold having risen on account of the a.s.signats, but the exchange having lowered in a greater proportion, the price is less in florins than it would otherwise have been. The gold employed in the chains was of 20 karats, the usual alloy, and weighed the first 4m. 5o. 4-1/2gr. 31d., and the second 1m. 6o.

4gr. The gold of the medals was finer, according to usage. I had only two golden medals struck. The six of bronze will await your orders.

Your obedient servant, Wm. SHORT.

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_M. Lagrange to William Short._

a Monsieur SHORT: Paris ce 31 Janvier 1792.

J'ai l'honneur de vous prevenir que les deux medailles et les etuis sont prets. Je vous serais oblige de les faire retirer a la monnoye des medailles ainsi que les six medailles de bronze.

Les 2 medailles d'or pesent 2m. 4on. 1gr. a 175_l._ l'once 3434_l._ 2 belieres en or a 6_l._ chaque 12 6 medailles de bronze a 7_l._ chaque 42 2 etuis de galuchet[68] 142 ---- Total 3630

J'ai l'honneur d'etre Monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, LAGRANGE, Caissier de la Monnoye des Medailles.

[Footnote 68: Galuchet, prepared shark-skins.]

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Memoire de deux grandes chaines d'or fournies a Monsieur Short par Auguste, orfevre du Roi.

_Pet.i.te Chaine._ a l'epoque ou l'or etait a 110_l._ l'once, (p. 125) chaque maillon de cette chaine devait couter 6_l._, maintenant que l'or vaut 133_l._ 6-8. Ce qui est plus du 6eme en sus de son ancien prix, celui de chaque chainon revient a 7_l._, ce qui eleve le total des

365 chainons a la somme de 2555_l._ L'anneau et l'S de cette chaine valeur 65 ---- 2620

_Grande Chaine._ Chaque maillon de la grande chaine qui par la meme raison ne devait couter que 13_l._ 10 revient au prix de 16_l._, ce qui fait pour le total des

365 chainons a la somme de 5840_l._ Pour l'anneau et l'S de cette chaine valeur 80 ---- 5920 ---- Total des deux chaines 8540_l._

[Translation.]

_M. Lagrange to William Short._

To Mr. SHORT. Paris, January 31, 1792.

I have the honor to advise you that the two medals and the cases are ready. I would be obliged to you to have them taken from the Mint of Medals, as also the six medals in bronze.

The two gold medals weigh 2m. 4oz. 1gr.[69]

At 175 livres[70] the ounce 3,434 livres 2 loop-rings in gold at 6 livres each 12 6 medals in bronze at 7 livres each 42 2 galuchet cases 142 ----- Total 3,630

I have the honor to be, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant, LAGRANGE, Cas.h.i.+er of the Mint of Medals.

[Footnote 69: Former weights of France: 1 livre = 2 marcs = 16 ounces = 128 gros = 384 deniers = 9,216 grains.]

[Footnote 70: Former moneys of France: 1 livre = 20 sous = 240 deniers or 48 liards. 1 livre = 0.9876 francs.]

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Account of the two large gold chains furnished to Mr. Short by Auguste, goldsmith to the king.

_Small Chain._ At the time when gold was worth 110 livres the ounce, each link of this chain was to cost 6 livres; now that gold is worth 133 livres, 6 sous, 8 deniers, which is more (p. 126) than one-sixth above its former price, that of each link comes to 7 livres, which increases the total of the

365 links to the sum of 2,555_l._ The ring and the S of this chain, cash 65_l._ ----- 2,620_l._

_Large Chain._ Each link of the large chain, which for the same reason was to cost only 13 livres, 10 sous, comes to 16 livres, which makes for the total of

365 links the sum of 5,840_l._ For the ring and the S of this chain, cash 80_l._ ----- 5,920_l._ ----- Total for both chains 8,540_l._

No. 20. (p. 127) PLATE XXI.

_March 4, 1797--March 4, 1801._

John Adams President of the U.S. A.D. 1797. [Rx]. Peace and friends.h.i.+p.

PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS.

[_Second President of the United States of America._]

JOHN ADAMS PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. (_United States_) A. D. (_Anno Domini: The year of our Lord_) 1797. Bust of President John Adams, facing the right.

PEACE AND FRIENDs.h.i.+P. Two hands clasped in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes, and b.u.t.tons with the American eagle on them; the other wrist bare; above the hands, a calumet and a tomahawk crossed--Indian emblems of peace and war.

JOHN ADAMS was born at Braintree, now Quincy, Ma.s.sachusetts, October 19, 1735. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1755, studied law, and settled in Boston in 1768; he was a delegate to Congress, 1774-1778; serving on the Boards of Naval and of Foreign Affairs, and also on the Board of War; commissioner to France, 1778; to Holland, 1780; minister to Holland, 1782; to England, 1785-1788; vice-president of the United States, 1789-1793; President of the United States, 1797-1801. He retired to Quincy in 1801, and died there, July 4, 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Independence of the United States, and on the same day with Thomas Jefferson.