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Create new listResolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblematical of the action between the two squadrons, and to present them to Captain Macdonough and Captain Robert Henley, and also to Lieutenant Stephen Cassin, in such manner as may be most honorable to them; and that the President be further requested to present a silver medal, with suitable emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers of the navy and army serving on board, and a sword to each of the midshipmen and sailing masters, who so nobly distinguished themselves in that memorable conflict.
U.S.A., Lieutenant Robert Henley and the Battle of Lake Champlain, 11 September, 1814, a Congressional Gold Medal by F. Furst, rob. henley eagle præfect. palma virtu. per æternit. florebit, uniformed bust right, rev. uno latere percusso. alterum impavide vertit, naval action on Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh burning to the right, inter class. ameri. et brit. dei xi sept. mdcccxiiii. in exergue, 65mm, 235.87g (Julian NA. 11; Loubat 35; Neuzil 31). With signs of handling befitting an artefact of such a monumental historical significance, manifesting in light hairlines, a few minor marks and trifling edge nicks, otherwise extremely fine with bright reflective fields and sharp, frosted devices; an imposing, UNIQUE and splendid testament to one of the defining moments in Anglo-American history £40,000-£50,000
With Bowers & Ruddy Galleries, April 8, 1978; J.J. Ford Collection (Part V), Stack’s Auction, New York 12 October 2004, lot 170 achieving a hammer price of $90,000
Born in James City County, Virginia, on the 5th January 1783, Robert Henley was educated at William and Mary College before obtaining a midshipman’s warrant. Gallant service under Captain Truxtun (another recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal) and during the Tripolitan Campaign earned him several promotions, first to Lieutenant in 1807. His command of the U.S.S. Eagle, a 20 gun brig launched in August 1814, came just in time for participation in the Battle of Lake Champlain, on the 11th of September of that year.
Following the British defeat, the American Naval commander, Macdonough, reported to Congress that ‘To Captain Robert Henley, of the Eagle, much is to be ascribed; his courage was conspicuous, and I most earnestly recommend him as worthy of the highest trust and confidence.’ In response to this high praise Congress offered its thanks, and this gold medal.
There are very few Congressional gold naval medals known. The Ford cataloguer noted only those of Truxtun in the National Numismatic Collection, Cassin's sold by Sotheby's in April, 1960, Hull's in the U.S.S. Constitution Museum and that piece offered for sale here.
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