Existing comment:
Silver peace medal
1801
issued under President Thomas Jefferson and given to an Osage chieftain
The 1803 Louisiana Purchase opened the area west of the Mississippi to U.S. settlement, causing conflict with many of the Indian tribes living there. In order to obtain land and facilitate trade, Thomas Jefferson pursued treaties and encouraged tribes to give up their traditional ways of life. Medals such as this were often presented to native chiefs as diplomatic gifts. |