s 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.

I should be wanting in the feelings of gratitude did I not
mention on this occasion, with the warmest sense of
acknowledgment, the very cheerful and able assistance which I
have received in the course of our operations from His Excellency
the Count de Rochambeau. Nothing could equal this zeal of our
allies but the imitating spirit of the American officers, whose
ardour would not suffer their exertions to be exceeded.

The very uncommo