1824.
One of the most interesting among the Washington souvenirs is the Decoration of the Cincinnati, worn by Washington. The Society of the Cincinnati, recognizing the assistance which America had received from France, sent the decoration of the order to the Counts d’Estaing, de Grasse, de Barras, de Rochambeau, and to La Fayette. Washington had been president of the order. The decoration, of enamelled gold, is framed in a laurel crown, sustained by two cornucopiæ, interwoven together, from which issues fruit, and which are themselves suspended to the ribbon by an oblong ring, formed by two tresses attached together. The American eagle, with extended wings, occupies the middle of the crown, and bears a shield on each side. On one of the shields may be seen Cincinnatus leaning on his plough, and receiving the Roman deputies, who present him with the sword of the dictator. Around it are these words, written in letters of gold on a sky-blue ground: “Omnia. Relinquit. Servare. Rempu.”
On the other shield Cincinnatus is represented as resuming his agricultural labors, and guiding a plough. At a little distance is his cottage. This scene is illumined by the sun, and around are the words: “Soci. Cin. Rum. Inst. a.d. 1783. Virt. Prae.”
The figures of the shields are of dead gold, the ground of green, and the background of carnation enamel. The decoration is attached to a sky-blue watered silk ribbon, edged with a white piping, in token of the alliance between France and America, and held together by a gold clasp. The ribbon used by Washington is much worn. On the morocco leather box which encloses the decoration, are the words, “Washington’s Cincinnati Badge.”
Here may also be seen a cane, formerly used by Franklin, which was given to La Fayette on his last visit to America. Also a pin, presented to La Fayette by Franklin’s granddaughter. This contains the hair, and presents Franklin’s monogram. Near it is a ring containing the hair and portrait of the celebrated English writer, Jeremy Bentham. In a crystal box, mounted in gold, and closed with a small padlock, lie two sad mementos of the unfortunate Riégo, who perished on the scaffold. Just before the terrible end he untied his black silk cravat and sent it, with a lock of his hair, to his wife. Madame Riégo afterwards divided these sacred relics with La Fayette. Through the clear crystal the memorable souvenirs may be reverently examined.
Another curiosity is a round wooden box. The lid is divided into four parts formed of different woods. The walnut wood is from the last tree of the forest of Penn, cut down in 1818, opposite to the Hall of Independence. The elm wood is from the treaty tree. The oak is from the first bridge constructed on the Dock Creek. The mahogany is from the house of Christopher Columbus.