NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS.[52] (_The courageous child was aided by the gods._) The infant Hercules (_America_), in his cradle, is strangling two serpents, while Minerva (_France_) stands by, helmeted, and with spear in her right hand, ready to strike a leopard (_England_) whose attacks she wards off with her shield decked with the lilies of France. Exergue: 17/19 OCT. 1777/1781. (17/19 _Octobris_ 1777/1781: 17/19 _October_, 1777/1781.)[53] DUPRÉ. F. (_fecit_).[54] [Footnote 52: Horace, Book III, Ode iv, 20.] [Footnote 53: Dates of the surrender of the British armies at Saratoga and at Yorktown.] [Footnote 54: See INTRODUCTION, pages x, xi, and xxii.] This medal was not voted by Congress, but was ordered by Franklin, in commemoration of the surrenders of Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and of General Lord Cornwallis. As the official reports of the first of these events have already been given under No. 2, page 9, I give here only the documents relating to the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown. _____ ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 087) _General Washington to the President of Congress._ To His Excellency Headquarters, near York, THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. October 19, 1781. Sir: I have the honour to inform Congress that a reduction of the British army, under the command of Lord Cornwallis, is most happily effected. The unremitted ardour which actuated every officer and soldier in the combined army on this occasion, has principally led to this important event, at an earlier period than my most sanguine hopes had induced me to expect. The singular spirit of emulation, which animated the whole army from the first commencement of our operations, has filled my mind with the highest pleasure and satisfaction, and had given me the highest presages of success. On the 17th instant, a letter was received from Lord Cornwallis, proposing a meeting of commissioners to consult on terms for the surrender of the posts of York and Gloucester. This letter (the first that had passed between us) opened a correspondence, a copy of which I do myself the honour to inclose; that correspondence was followed by the definitive capitulation, which was agreed to and signed on the 19th, copy of which is herewith transmitted; and which I hope will meet with the approbation of Congress.