170 A SAGA OF THE SEAS 
and shall transmit the same, together with the medal to Mr. 
Field, to be presented to him in the name of the people of 
the United States of America.” 
As this resolution specified, the medal was struck “with 
suitable emblems, devices, and inscription,” but Field did not 
receive it for many months, and then he received a facsimile 
—not the original. What happened illustrates a form of gov- 
ernmental stupidity that would be pathetic if it were not 
ludicrous. After the medal was “struck,” it was exhibited at 
a meeting of the President’s cabinet. It was then handed to 
a clerk in the Treasury department with instructions to “put 
it carefully away.” There was now a dignified delay. Over a 
year after the resolution was passed, Field was notified that 
the medal would be presented to him in Washington. But 
upon his arrival there he was requested not to mention the 
subject. No one seemed to know where the medal was. An- 
other medal was ordered, and made. In January, 1869, two 
years after the resolution was passed, a letter came to Field 
from Secretary of State Seward carrying out the terms of the 
resolution in a formal and brief manner, as follows: 
Department of State, 
Washington, January 7, 1869. 
Sir,—Pursuant to the resolution of Congress of March 2, 1867, 
the President has caused to be prepared for presentation to you, 
in the name of the people of the United States, a gold medal, with 
suitable devices and inscriptions, in acknowledgment of your em- 
inent services in the establishment of telegraphic communication 
by means of the Atlantic cable between the Old World and the 
New. This testimonial, together with an engrossed copy of the 
resolution referred to, is herewith transmitted to you by direction 
of the President. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 
William H. Seward. 
This medal transmitted by the Secretary of State was a fac- 
simile, not the original. What happened to the original re- 
mained a mystery until 1874, more than seven years after the 
