William Short to Thomas Jefferson.
Paris, February 8th, 1792.
To the Honourable
Thomas Jefferson,
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 Dupré, 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 assignats, 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.
M. Lagrange to William Short.
Paris ce 31 Janvier 1792.
À Monsieur Short:
J'ai l'honneur de vous prévenir que les deux médailles et les étuis sont prêts. Je vous serais obligé de les faire retirer à la monnoye des médailles ainsi que les six médailles de bronze.
| Les 2 médailles d'or pèsent 2m. 4on. 1gr. à 175l. l'once | 3434l. |
| 2 bélières en or à 6l. chaque | 12l. |
| 6 médailles de bronze à 7l. chaque | 42l. |
| 2 étuis de galuchet[68] | 142l. |
| —— | |
| Total | 3630l. |