In our free republics certainly nothing should be suppressed that can tend to awaken a noble spirit of emulation, to cherish the fine feelings of patriotism, to exhibit alluring examples for imitation, or to extend and perpetuate the remembrance of those heroic achievements which have ennobled the era of the American Revolution. Few inventions could be more happily calculated to diffuse the knowledge and preserve the memory of illustrious characters and splendid events than medals—whether we take into consideration the imperishable nature of the substance whence they are formed, the facility of multiplying copies, or the practice of depositing them in the cabinets of the curious. Perhaps one improvement might be made. The sage and venerable Dr. Franklin, whose patriotic genius is active in old age, and ever prolific in projects of public utility, once suggested,[19] in conversation with me, as an expedient for propagating still more extensively the knowledge of facts designed to be perpetuated in medals, that their devices should be impressed on the current coin of the nation.
Under influence of such ideas, I shall claim the indulgence of my countrymen for bringing forward a communication which might possibly have come more satisfactorily from some other quarter. An apprehension that the subject might remain unnoticed is my apology.
I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
David Humphreys.
Devices and Inscriptions of American Medals.
The gold medal for General Washington represents the head of His Excellency, with this legend: georgio washington supremo duci exercituum, adsertori libertatis, comitia americana. On the reverse: The Evacuation of Boston. The American army advances in good order toward the town, which is seen at a distance, while the British army flies with precipitation toward the strand, to embark on board the vessels with which the roads are covered. In the front of the picture, on the side of the American army, General Washington appears on horseback, amid a group of officers, to whom he seems to be pointing out the retreat of the enemy.
Legend: hostibus primo fugatis.
On the Exergue: bostonium recuperatum, die 17 martii, mdcclxxvi.
The gold medal for General Gates represents the head of that general, with this legend: horatio gates, duci strenuo, comitia americana.
On the reverse: The enemy's general, at the head of his army, who are grounding their arms, presents his sword to the American general, whose troops stand with shouldered arms.
Legend: salus regionum septentrionalium.