6867. PRESENTS, To Foreign Ministers.—[continued].
It has become necessary
to determine on a present proper to be given to
diplomatic characters on their taking leave of
us; and it is concluded that a medal and chain
of gold will be the most convenient. I have,
therefore, to ask the favor of you to order the
dies to be engraved with all the dispatch practicable.
The medal must be of thirty lines
diameter, with a loop on the edge to receive the
chain. On one side, must be the arms of the
United States, of which I send you a written description;
* * * round them as a legend must
be “The United States of America”. The device
of the other side we do not decide on. One
suggestion has been a Columbia (a fine female
figure) delivering the emblems of peace and
commerce to a Mercury, and the date of our
republic, to wit, 4th July, MDCCLXXVI.—
To William Short. Washington ed. iii, 142.
(N.Y.,
1790)
