6869. PRESENTS, To Indians.—[continued].
The giving medals and
marks of distinction to the Indian chiefs * * *
has been an ancient custom from time immemorial.
The medals are considered as complimentary
things, as marks of friendship to
those who come to see us, or who do us good
offices, conciliatory of their good will towards
us, and not designed to produce a contrary disposition
towards others. They confer no power,
and seem to have taken their origin in the
European practice, of giving medals or other
marks of friendship to the negotiators of treaties
and other diplomatic characters, or visitors
of distinction. The British government, while
it prevailed here, practiced the giving medals,
gorgets, and bracelets to the savages, invariable.—
To Carmichael and Short. Washington ed. iv, 15.
Ford ed., vi, 336.
(Pa.,
1793)
