and assuredly among its most cordial, to testify to you the regret which
the people and government of the United States felt at your removal from
among them; a very general and sincere regret, and tempered only by the
consolation of your personal advancement, which accompanied it. You will
receive, Sir, by order of the President of the United States, as soon
as they can be prepared, a medal and chain of gold, of which he desires
your acceptance, in token of their esteem, and of the sensibility with
which they will ever recall your legation to their memory.

But as this compliment may hereafter be rendered to other missions, from
which yours was distinguished by eminent circumstances, the President
of the United States wishes to pay you the distinguished tribute of an
express acknowledgment of your services, and our sense of them. You came
to us, Sir, through all the perils which encompassed us on all sides.
You found us struggling and suffering under difficulties, as singular
and trying as our situation was new and unprecedented. Your magnanimous
nation had taken side with us in the conflict, and yourself became
the centre of our common councils, the link which connected our common
operations. In that position you labored without ceasing, till all our
labors were crowned with glory to your nation, freedom to ours, and
benefit to both. During the whole, we had constant evidence of your
zeal, your abilities, and your good faith. We desire to convey this
testimony of it home to your own breast, and to that of your sovereign,
our best and greatest friend; and this I do, Sir, in the name, and by
the express instruction of the President of the United States.

I feel how flattering it is to me, Sir, to be the organ of the public
sense on this occasion, and to be justified, by that office, in adding
to theirs, the homage of those sentiments of respect and esteem, with
which I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient and most