gentleman whose abilities, application and disposition cannot fail to make him useful in this momentous office he sustains. I have the honour to be with great respect, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant, John ADAMS. _____ _Thomas Jefferson to William Short._ To William SHORT, Esquire, New York, April 30th, 1790. Chargé d'Affaires of the United States of America, Paris. Dear Sir: It has become necessary to determine on a present proper to be given to diplomatic characters on their taking leave of us; and it is concluded that a medal and chain of gold will be the most convenient. I am therefore to ask the favour of you to order the dies to be engraved with all the despatch practicable. The medal must be of 30-lines diameter, with a loop on the edge to receive the chain. On one side must be the arms of the United States, of which I send you a written description, and (p. 118) several impressions in wax, to render that more intelligible; round them as a legend must be "The United States of America." The device on the other side we do not decide on; one suggestion has been a Columbia (a fine female figure) delivering the emblems of Peace and Commerce to a Mercury, with the legend "Peace and Commerce" circumscribed, and the date of our Republic, to-wit: IV Jul. MDCCLXXVI, subscribed as an Exerguum; but having little confidence in our own ideas in an art not familiar here, they are only suggested to you, to be altered, or altogether postponed to such better device as you may approve on consulting with those who are in the habit and study of medals. Duvivier and Dupré seem to be the best workmen, perhaps the last is the best of the two. I am with great and sincere esteem, Thomas JEFFERSON. _____ _Thomas Jefferson to the Marquis de la Luzerne._ To His Excellency THE MARQUIS DE LA LUZERNE. New York, April 30th, 1790.