LIBERTAS AMERICANA.
[Surrender of the British Armies at Saratoga and at Yorktown.]
LIBERTAS AMERICANA. (American liberty.) The head of a beautiful maiden, facing the left, with dishevelled hair floating in the wind, and with the rod of liberty surmounted by the Phrygian cap on her right shoulder. Exergue: 4 JUIL. (sic) 1776. (4 Julii, 1776: July 4, 1776.) On edge of bust, DUPRÉ.
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS.[52] (The courageous child was aided by the gods.) The infant Hercules (America), in his cradle, is strangling two serpents, while Minerva (France) stands by, helmeted, and with spear in her right hand, ready to strike a leopard (England) whose attacks she wards off with her shield decked with the lilies of France. Exergue: 17/19 OCT. 1777/1781. (17/19 Octobris 1777/1781: 17/19 October, 1777/1781.)[53] DUPRÉ. F. (fecit).[54]
This medal was not voted by Congress, but was ordered by Franklin, in commemoration of the surrenders of Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and of General Lord Cornwallis. As the official reports of the first of these events have already been given under No. 2, page 9, I give here only the documents relating to the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown.
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
General Washington to the President of Congress.
Headquarters, near York,
October 19, 1781.
To His Excellency
The President of Congress.
Sir: I have the honour to inform Congress that a reduction of the British army, under the command of Lord Cornwallis, is most happily effected. The unremitted ardour which actuated every officer and soldier in the combined army on this occasion, has principally led to this important event, at an earlier period than my most sanguine hopes had induced me to expect.
The singular spirit of emulation, which animated the whole army from the first commencement of our operations, has filled my mind with the highest pleasure and satisfaction, and had given me the highest presages of success.
On the 17th instant, a letter was received from Lord Cornwallis, proposing a meeting of commissioners to consult on terms for the surrender of the posts of York and Gloucester. This letter (the first that had passed between us) opened a correspondence, a copy of which I do myself the honour to inclose; that correspondence was followed by the definitive capitulation, which was agreed to and signed on the 19th, copy of which is herewith transmitted; and which I hope will meet with the approbation of Congress.
I should be wanting in the feelings of gratitude did I not mention on this occasion, with the warmest sense of acknowledgment, the very cheerful and able assistance which I have received in the course of our operations from His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau. Nothing could equal this zeal of our allies but the imitating spirit of the American officers, whose ardour would not suffer their exertions to be exceeded.
The very uncommon degree of duty and fatigue, which the nature of the service required from the officers of engineers and artillery of both armies, obliges me particularly to mention the obligations I am under to the commanding and other officers of those corps.
I wish it was in my power to express to Congress how much I feel myself indebted to the Count de Grasse, and the officers of the fleet under his command, for the distinguished aid and support which has been afforded by them, between whom and the army the most happy concurrence of sentiments and views have subsisted, and from whom every possible co-operation has been experienced which the most harmonious intercourse could afford.
Returns of the prisoners, military stores, ordnance, shipping and other matters, I shall do myself the honour to transmit to Congress as soon as they can be collected by the heads of departments to which they belong.
Colonel Laurens and the Viscount de Noailles, on the part of the combined army, were the gentlemen who acted as commissioners for forming and settling the terms of capitulation and surrender, herewith transmitted, to whom I am particularly obliged for their readiness and attention exhibited on the occasion.
Colonel Tilghman, one of my aids-de-camp, will have the honour to deliver these despatches to Your Excellency; he will be able to inform you of every minute circumstance which is particularly mentioned in my letter. His merits, which are too well known to need any observations at this time, have gained my particular attention, and I could wish that they may be honoured by the notice of Your Excellency and Congress.
Your Excellency and Congress will be pleased to accept my congratulations on this happy event, and believe me to be, with the highest respect and esteem,
Sir, your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,
Geo. Washington.
P.S. Though I am not possessed of the particular returns, yet I have reason to suppose that the number of prisoners will be between five and six thousand, exclusive of seamen and others.
General Washington to the President of Congress.
Headquarters, near York,
October 27, 1781.
To His Excellency
The President of Congress.
Sir: I do myself the honour to enclose to Your Excellency copies of returns of prisoners, artillery, arms, ordnance, and other stores, surrendered by the enemy in their posts of York and Gloucester, on the 19th instant, which were not completed at the time of my despatches, and but this moment handed to me. A draft of these posts, with the plan of attack and defence, is herewith transmitted; and twenty-four standards, taken at the same time, are ready to be laid before Congress.
My present despatches being important, I have committed to the care of Colonel Humphreys, one of my aids-de-camp, whom, for his attention, fidelity and good services, I beg leave to recommend to Congress and Your Excellency.
I have the honour to be,
Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,
Geo. Washington.
Resolutions of Congress Voting Thanks, etc., for the Taking of Yorktown.
By the United States in Congress Assembled:
Resolved, That the thanks of the United States, in Congress assembled, be presented to His Excellency General Washington, for the eminent services which he has rendered to the United States, and particularly for the well concerted plan against the British garrisons in York and Gloucester; for the vigour, attention, and military skill with which that plan was executed, and for the wisdom and prudence manifested in the capitulation.
That the thanks of the United States, in Congress assembled, be presented to His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, for the cordiality, zeal, judgment, and fortitude, with which he seconded and advanced the progress of the allied army against the British garrison in York.
That the thanks of the United States, in Congress assembled, be presented to His Excellency Count de Grasse, 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 assembled, 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 assembled, for their conduct and valour on this occasion:
Resolved, That the United States, in Congress assembled, 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 Grasse, 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 assembled.
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 illustrious 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 Grasse 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 assembled, a horse properly caparisoned, and an elegant sword, in testimony of their high opinion of his merit and ability.
Monday, October 29, 1781.
Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston.
Passy, March 4, 1782.
To the Honourable
Robert R. Livingston,
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.
Benjamin Franklin to Sir William Jones.
Passy, March 17, 1783.
To
Sir William Jones.
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 "épreuves". 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.
Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston.
Passy, April 15, 1783.
To the Honourable
Robert R. Livingston,
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, 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.
Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston.
Passy, July 22, 1783.
To the Honourable
Robert R. Livingston,
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
Benjamin Franklin to the Grand Master of Malta.
Passy, 6 April, 1783.
To His Eminent Highness
The Grand Master of Malta.
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 gratitude, 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 circumstances may lead to your ports. I hope that Your Eminent Highness will be pleased to grant it to them and kindly receive the assurances of the profound respect with which I am, my Lord,
Your Eminent Highnesses most humble and most obedient servant,
B. Franklin.
The Grand Master of Malta to Benjamin Franklin.
Malta, 21 June, 1783.
To His Excellency
B. Franklin.
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 gratitude 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 assistance 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.
1784.
Benj. Franklin natus Boston. XVII Jan. MDCCVI. ℞. Eripuit cœlo fulmen sceptrum que tyrannis.