The Hero,
whose remains are here deposited,
with his expiring breath,
expressed his devotion to his country.
Neither the fury of battle;
the anguish of a mortal wound;
nor the horrors of approaching Death,
could subdue his gallant spirit.
His dying words were,
“DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP.”
Description of the gold medal presented by Congress to the nearest male
relative of Captain James Lawrence.
OCCASION.--Capture of the British sloop-of-war Peacock.
DEVICE.--Bust of Captain Lawrence.
LEGEND.--Jac. Lawrence. Dolce et decorum est pro patria mori.
REVERSE.--A vessel in the act of sinking, mizzen-mast shot away; a boat
rowing towards her from the American ship.
LEGEND.--Mansuetud. Maj. quam Victoria.
EXERGUE.--Inter Hornet nav. Ameri. et Peacock nav. Ang. die 24th
February, 1813.