of the
medal. The general form (circular) may be considered as equally
settled by our own practice, and that of most nations, ancient
and modern. There is, however, some little diversity in
_diameter_ and _thickness_ in the medals heretofore ordered (p. xxv)
by Congress, at different periods, as may be seen in the cabinets
of the War and Navy Departments. Diversity in dimensions is even
greater in other countries.

The specific character of the medal is shown by its two faces, or
the _face_ and the _reverse_. The within resolution directs
appropriate devices and inscriptions thereon.

For the _face_, a bust likeness is needed, to give, with the name
and the rank of the donee, _individuality_. To obtain the
likeness, a first-rate miniature painter should, of course, be
employed.

The _reverse_ receives the device, appropriate to the events
commemorated. To obtain this, it is suggested that the
resolutions and despatches, belonging to the subject, be
transmitted to a master in the art of design--say Prof. Weir, at
West Point--for a drawing--including, if practicable, this
inscription:

PALO ALTO;
RESACA DE LA PALMA:
MAY 8 AND 9, 1846.

A third artist--all to be well paid--is next to be employed--a
die-sinker. The mint of the United States will do the coinage.

Copies, in cheaper metal, of all our gold medals, should be given
to the libraries of the Federal and State Governments, to those
of the colleges, etc.

The medals voted by the Revolutionary Congress were
executed--designs and dies--under the superintendence of Mr.
Jefferson,[12] in Paris, about the year 1786. Those struck in
honour of victories, in our War of 1812, were all--at least so
far as it respected the land service--done at home, and not one
of them presented, I think, earlier than the end of Mr. Monroe's
administration (1825). The delay principally resulted from the
want of good die-sinkers. There was only one of mediocre merit
(and he a foreigner) found for the army. What the state of this
art may now be in the United States I know not. But I beg leave
again to suggest that the honour of the country requires that
medals, voted by Congress, should always exhibit the arts
involv