Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 3.

1 The writer is indebted to the kindness of Robert Lincoln, son of the President, for a photograph of the medal, of which the engraving here given is a copy, in outline, about one-third less in size than the original, which is about four inches in diameter. On one side, in relief, is a profile of Mr. Lincoln, surrounded by the words, in French: “dedicated by the French Democracy. Twice elected President of the United States.” On the reverse is an altar, bearing the following inscription, also in French: “Lincoln, honest man, abolished slavery, re-established the Union, and saved the Republic, without Veiling the statue of Liberty. He was assassinated the 14TH of April, 1865.” Below all are the words, “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.” On one side of the altar stands winged Victory, with her right hand resting upon a sword, and her left holding a civic wreath. On the other side stand two emancipated slaves — the younger, a lad, offering a palm-branch, and the elder pointing him to the American eagle, bearing the shield, the olive-branch, and the lightning, with the motto of the Union. The elder freedman holds the musket of the militia-man, to which their citizenship entitles them. Near them are emblems of industry and progress. Back of Victory are seen an anchor, merchandize, and ships, emblematical of commerce. Over the altar is a triangle, emblematic of trinity — the trinity of man's inalienable rights — Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

The funds for the medal were obtained by very small subscriptions, to which forty thousand French citizens subscribed. The French Government tried to prevent this, but failed. The medal was struck, and sent to Mrs. Lincoln, with the following letter, signed by the committee having the matter in charge:--

Paris, ce 13 Octobre, 1866.
Madame:--

Nous sommes charges de vous offrir la medaille qu'ont fait frapper, en l'honneur du grand honnete homme dont vous portez le nom, plus de 40,000 citoyens Francais, desireux de manifester leurs sympathies pour l'union Americaine, dans la personne de l'un de ses plus illustres et de ses plus purs representants.

Si la France possedait les liberties dont jouit l'amerique republicaine, ce n'est pas par milliers, mais par millions, que se seraient comptes avec nous les admirateurs de Lincoln, et les partisans des opinions auxquelles il voua sa vie, et que sa mort a consacrees.

Veuillez agreer, Madame, l'hommage de notre profond respect.

Les membres du Comite: Etienne Arago, Ch. L. Chassin. L. Greppo, Laurent Pichat, Eng. Despois, L. Kneip, C. Thomas Albert, J. Michelet, Jules Barni, T. Delord, V. Chauffour, E. Littre, V. Schoelcher, V. Joigneaux, V<*> Mangin, Edgar Quinet, Louis Blanc, Eugene Pelletan, Victor Hugo.

Translation.

Paris, October 13, 1866.
Madam:--

We have been charged with the duty of presenting to you the medal in honor of the great and honest man whose name you bear, and which 40,000 French citizens have caused to be struck, with a desire to express their sympathy for the American Union, in the person of one of its most illustrious and purest representatives.

If France possessed the liberty enjoyed by republican America, we would number with us not merely thousands, but millions of the admirers of Lincoln, and of the partisans of those opinions to which he devoted his life, and which are consecrated by his death.

Please to accept, Madam, the homage of our profound respect.

The members of the Committee.