George Washington's Diplomatic Jewelry - Indian Peace Medals

luxejwc
Feb 20, 2024
13 min read

In honor of President George Washington's birthday, February 22, a little known yet intriguing aspect of his jewelry choices, were his gifts of Indian Peace Medals to to Native Americans. These medals, a symbol of peace, friendship, and honor, were first introduced by President Washington as a gesture of goodwill towards Native American chiefs and leaders. The rich history and cultural significance of Indian peace medals have made them cherished jewelry pieces within Native American communities, they were buried with the chiefs when they died or passed down from generation to generation.

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These silver medals were not only symbols of friendship and allegiance but also works of art that reflected the government's efforts to establish diplomatic ties with Native American communities. Crafted in various designs and styles, these medals often featured intricate engravings and symbols that held special meanings for the recipients. They served as tangible symbols of peace and respect, bridging the gap between different cultures.

The tradition of presenting Indian peace medals dates back to the early years of the United States, with the practice influenced by similar customs from colonial years of the Spanish, French, and British interactions with Indians. Thomas Jefferson said the Indian Peace medals "are considered as complimentary things, as marks of friendship to those who come to see us, or who do us good offices, conciliatory of their good will towards us, and not designed to produce a contrary disposition towards others. They confer no power, and seem to have taken their origin in the European practice, of giving medals or other marks of friendship to the negotiators of treaties and other diplomatic characters, or visitors of distinction."

During the period of the French and Indian War from 1754 to 1763, Anglo-Americans started creating elaborate medals with the aim of vying for the loyalty of different Native American factions against various European powers. Examples of these tokens include medals ordered by the Quakers in Philadelphia for the Treaty of Easton in 1757. Later Virginia created a "Happy While United" medal in 1780.

In 1791, Chief of the Oneida Tribe was presented with a medal depicting the Oneida legend of the Great Turtle of the Earth , with a tree growing from its back that becomes North America. This was engraved by Peter Getz,

who went onto become the first employee of the Federal Mint.

Washington administration offered silver oval medals in 1792, 1793 and 1795 that were these expertly engraved Indian Peace Medals.

The medals given as official gifts by the United States to American Indian leaders were highly valued symbols of importance and status, given with great pomp and ceremony and accompanied by certificates outlining the recipient's credentials and the respect owed to them. They were made in three sizes presented according to rank of the accepting chief. Leaders who received these medals were often called Grand Medal Chiefs. They were given on important occasions, such as the signing of a treaty, a visit of important Indians to the national capital, or a tour of the Indian country by some federal official.

Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg notes that Secretary of War Henry Knox directed that a Cherokee delegation, visiting Philadelphia in early 1792, “…be liberally supplied with presents….and of distinctive silver Medals,” in addition to twenty more sets of medals for “the principal Chiefs of the Chickasaws and Choctaws,” as Knox referred to them. In addition to those sent to Southern tribes, at least two went to Seneca Chiefs from New York, like Red Jacket, who posed wearing his 1792 medal in the 1820s.

In March and April of 1792, forty-seven chiefs representing the Iroquois Confederacy (the Six Nations—Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Tuscarora, and Mohawk tribes) arrived in Philadelphia to meet with President Washington, the Secretary of War Henry Knox, and the

Governor of Pennsylvania Thomas Mifflin. During this meeting, Washington presented Washington Indian Peace Medals to the chiefs as a symbol of goodwill and friendship.

The Washington Indian Peace Medals, made of silver and adorned with images of Washington on one side and symbols of peace on the other, were a common diplomatic tool. In the meeting with the Iroquois chiefs, the presentation of Washington Indian Peace Medals served as as effective gesture. By acknowledging the authority and leadership of the chiefs through the ceremonial exchange of medals, Washington aimed to cultivate trust and cooperation between the tribes and the federal government.

Sagoyewatha or Red Jacket was a prominent Native American chief of the Seneca tribe. He was a skilled orator and diplomat who advocated for the rights and autonomy of his people despite increasing pressure from European settlers. Red Jacket met with President George Washington in Philadelphia to negotiate a peace treaty and reaffirm the Seneca's alliance with the United States. As a symbol of this alliance, Washington presented Red Jacket with a silver Peace medal, inscribed with an image of Washington on one side and symbols of peace and unity on the other. Red Jacket accepted the Peace medal from Washington, but he continued to advocate strongly for the rights of the Seneca people and their sovereignty. He believed that the Seneca should maintain their independence and resist further encroachments on their land and way of life. Often Peace Medals were presented to chiefs with the expectation during treaty signing that the Native American tribes would cede land and make concessions to the United States.

Red Jacket valued his medal very highly, and wore it on many occasions. Upon his death in 1839, the medal became the property of his nephew, Sosewah, or Chief James Johnson, and when he died it passed to Donehogawa or Door Keeper, a U.S. Army General. In 1891, Donehogawa wrote the medal was evidence of "the bond of perpetual peace and friendship established and entered into between the people of the United States and the Six Nations of Indians at the time of its presentation." The medal was purchased from Donehogawa’s widow in 1898 by the Buffalo Historical Society where it remains today.

Beyond their diplomatic function, Indian peace medals became treasured ornaments worn by Native Americans as jewelry. The tradition of adorning oneself with these medals dates back generations and remains a revered practice to this day. Often integrated into traditional attire for ceremonies and rituals, these medals symbolize a connection to cultural heritage and ancestral roots.

The symbolism of Indian peace medals goes above and beyond mere adornment. They embody the enduring legacy of peace and cooperation between Native American tribes and the United States, representing honor, respect, and unity. These medals serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of maintaining harmonious relations between communities.

Due to the lack of minting machinery in 1780s and 1790s, each medal was handmade and engraved with care to symbolize their significance. In 1792, the engraved peace ceremony depicts George Washington helping a Native American Indian warrior hold a peace pipe. The Indian standing in a wooded area, wore armbands, a feathered headdress, and a large oval medal around his neck, with his tomahawk on the ground. Washington, in his military uniform has an agricultural scene behind him. GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT 1792 is inscribed below the scene. The Great Seal of the United States is engraved on the other side.

The skills of local engravers of the oval medals varied, with their signature techniques evident in the designs. The 1792 silver oval medals display more intricate details and shading compared to those dated 1789. Under the guidance of Master Engraver Robert Scot, apprentices and assistant engravers like Samuel Allardice and Joseph Wright, Jr., worked on a range of engraving projects. These artists hid initials in their work, suggesting a collaborative effort in producing the silver oval Washington medals for the U.S. government. The unique engraving styles and presence of hidden initials point to a collective endeavor among Scot and his apprentices to meet the demand for these medals while fulfilling other artistic obligations. Notably, no hidden initials have been found on known reproductions of silver oval medals.

Robert Scot, born in Scotland in 1745, trained as a watchmaker in England before becoming an engraver. After arriving in America in 1774, Scot worked on engraving plates for various purposes, including money, banknotes, and office scales. He served as Virginia's state engraver in 1780 where he met Thomas Jefferson who hired him to engrave the 1780 Happy While United Indian Peace Medal used to commemorate an alliance between the region’s native tribes and the commonwealth.

1786 Great Seal engraved by James Trenchard

When the British invaded Richmond, Virginia, he moved to Philadelphia, where he established himself as a renowned portrait and scientific plate engraver. He became known for engraving federal seals, including the die for the first Great Seal of the United States in 1786. Scot and his apprentices were busy with engraving contracts for currency, seals, and scientific copper plate engravings. In 1793, Scot was appointed Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, recommended by Thomas Jefferson due to his exceptional skills in die-sinking and engraving.

Numerous hidden initials of the engravers can be found on the Indian Peace Medals. The headdress of the Indian figure contains initials E and F, possibly denoting engravers involved in the creation of the medal. Engravers such as Shallus, Trenchard, and Wright left their marks on different parts of the medal, including Washington's coat and sleeve and the tree trunk on the reverse side. The most obvious hidden initials belong to Scot, with a prominent ST found in the inverted US in PLURIBUS. This is the first reported use of a pseudonym by Scot. Various other initials can be found throughout the medal, attributed to different engravers involved in its creation.

Master Engraver Robert Scot, had at least five apprentices and assistant engravers, including Samuel Allardice, James Thackera, John Vallance, Francis Shallus, and Joseph Wright, Jr.

Initials hidden in the Indian's headdress: F, J, E, T

Engravers: Francis Shallus and James Thackara or Joseph Rishardson

Initials hidden in Washington’s coat and sleeve hidden in cross-hatching: ST, JJW

Engraver: Robert ScoT, Joseph Wright, Jr.

Initials hidden in the tree: JT, S, F

Engravers: James Trenchard and Francis Shallus

Initials hidden in the reverse side (PLURIBUS): ST

Engraver: Robert ScoT

V: either Vallance or Henry Voigt

WJJ: Wright's initials hidden on the eagle's head

R and J: possibly Joseph Richardson

A: Samuel Allardice

JT: James Trenchard's

Martha Washington Shoe buckle - silver and paste glass

In addition to peace medals, George Washington also wore other pieces of jewelry that reflected his status as a prominent figure in the new nation. He was known to wear fashionable silver buckles on his shoes, as well as elegant gold and silver buttons on his clothing. These items not only added a touch of style to his wardrobe, but also served as symbols of his wealth and social standing. Martha Washington favored garnet jewelry as shown with the garnet necklace and earrings. She also wore silver and glass paste buckles on her shoes.

Martha Washington garnet necklace and earrings

As we celebrate George Washington's birthday and reflect on his legacy as a founding father of the United States, it is fascinating to consider the role that jewelry played in his personal and diplomatic life. The peace medals he gave to Native American tribes are a powerful reminder of the importance of mutual respect and understanding in building a just and peaceful society. And his other jewelry choices serve as a testament to his commitment to elegance and refinement in all aspects of his life.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

1. How did the design and materials used in the creation of Washington Indian Peace medals reflect the values and beliefs of Native American tribes?

The design and materials used in Washington Indian Peace medals often incorporated symbols and imagery that were meaningful to Native American tribes. For example, the use of silver, which was considered a precious metal, symbolized purity, prosperity, and importance to many Native American cultures. The intricate designs on the medals often included symbols of peace, unity, and cooperation, which reflected the values and beliefs of Native American tribes in striving for peaceful relations with others.

2. In what ways did the wearing of Peace medals as jewelry by Native American leaders like Red Jacket symbolize their alliance with the United States government?

The wearing of Peace medals as jewelry by Native American leaders like Red Jacket symbolized their recognition of and affiliation with the United States government. By wearing the Peace medal, leaders like Red Jacket were publicly displaying their acceptance of the alliance and peace agreements negotiated with the U.S. government. It served as a visible symbol of their commitment to maintaining peaceful relations and cooperation with the United States.

3. How did the exchange of Peace medals serve as a form of diplomacy and communication between Native American tribes and the U.S. government?

The exchange of Peace medals served as a form of diplomacy and communication between Native American tribes and the U.S. government by symbolizing mutual respect, understanding, and a desire for peace. The presentation of the Peace medals by the U.S. government to Native American leaders was a gesture of goodwill and friendship, signaling a willingness to negotiate and maintain peaceful relationships. In return, the acceptance and wearing of the Peace medals by Native American leaders symbolized their willingness to engage in diplomatic dialogue and uphold their end of the peace agreements.

4. What role did the use of jewelry in Peace medals play in the negotiation and maintenance of peace agreements between Native American tribes and the United States?

The use of jewelry in Peace medals played a significant role in the negotiation and maintenance of peace agreements between Native American tribes and the United States by serving as a tangible symbol of the agreements made. The intricate design and craftsmanship of the medals conveyed messages of respect, honor, and commitment to maintaining peace. The wearing of the Peace medals by Native American leaders like Red Jacket reinforced the importance of peace agreements and served as a constant reminder of the commitments made by both parties.

5. How did the wearing of Peace medals as jewelry by Native American leaders like Red Jacket impact their standing within their own communities and among other tribes?

The wearing of Peace medals as jewelry by Native American leaders like Red Jacket elevated their standing within their own communities and among other tribes by symbolizing their roles as respected diplomats and negotiators. The display of Peace medals demonstrated to their communities and other tribes their ability to engage in peaceful diplomacy and maintain positive relations with the United States government. This enhanced their credibility as leaders and intermediaries in negotiations and discussions related to peace agreements and alliances.

6. How did the intricate designs and craftsmanship of Peace medals convey messages of power, prestige, and diplomacy to both Native American leaders and European settlers?

The intricate designs and craftsmanship of Peace medals conveyed messages of power, prestige, and diplomacy to both Native American leaders and European settlers by showcasing the artistry and cultural significance of the medals. The detailed engravings and symbols on the medals represented the power and authority of the Native American leaders who wore them, while also conveying messages of peace and cooperation. The craftsmanship of the medals also demonstrated the technical skill and artistic abilities of Native American artisans, which was often admired and appreciated by European settlers.

7. How did the use of jewelry in Peace medals contribute to the cultural exchange and interaction between Native American tribes and the United States government during the 18th (1700's) and 19th centuries (1800's)?

The use of jewelry in Peace medals contributed to the cultural exchange and interaction between Native American tribes and the United States government during the 18th (1700's) and 19th centuries (1800's) by serving as a symbolic bridge between the two parties. The exchange of Peace medals and the wearing of these medals as jewelry highlighted the shared values of peace, unity, and cooperation, while also showcasing the artistic and aesthetic traditions of Native American tribes. This cultural exchange through the use of jewelry in Peace medals helped to foster understanding and communication between different cultures and facilitated diplomatic relations between Native American tribes and the United States government.

8. What significance did the wearing and display of Peace medals as jewelry have in shaping perceptions of Native American leaders like Red Jacket as intermediaries between their tribes and the U.S. government?

The wearing and display of Peace medals as jewelry had significant significance in shaping perceptions of Native American leaders like Red Jacket as intermediaries between their tribes and the U.S. government by symbolizing their roles as respected diplomats and peacekeepers. The presence of the Peace medals on their attire served as a visible reminder of their diplomatic responsibilities and commitments to maintaining peaceful relations with the United States government. This portrayal of Native American leaders as intermediaries helped to promote trust, cooperation, and mutual understanding between their tribes and the U.S. government.

9. How did the use of jewelry in Washington Indian Peace medals reflect the changing dynamics of power and relationships between Native American tribes and the United States government during the early years of the country's formation?

The use of jewelry in Washington Indian Peace medals reflected the changing dynamics of power and relationships between Native American tribes and the United States government during the early years of the country's formation by symbolizing the negotiation and establishment of alliances and peace agreements. The wearing of these medals as jewelry by Native American leaders like Red Jacket represented a shift in power dynamics and relationships, as they navigated the challenges of interacting with a rapidly expanding and evolving U.S. government. The display of the Peace medals as jewelry signified a willingness to engage in diplomatic dialogue and negotiate terms that would shape the future interactions between Native American tribes and the United States government.

10. In what ways did the symbolism and imagery incorporated into Peace medals convey messages of peace, unity, and diplomacy to both Native American tribes and the U.S. government?

The symbolism and imagery incorporated into Peace medals conveyed messages of peace, unity, and diplomacy to both Native American tribes and the U.S. government by serving as visual representations of shared values and commitments to peaceful coexistence. The symbols and engravings on the medals, such as images of clasped hands, peace pipes, and other emblems of cooperation, communicated a desire for unity and understanding between different cultures. The wearing of these medals as jewelry by Native American leaders like Red Jacket reinforced the importance of maintaining peace and fostering positive relationships, which was understood and acknowledged by the U.S. government as well.

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