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Medal Name: Free Gift of Steamship Vanderbilt
Struck for: Cornelius Vanderbilt
Approval: Act of Congress January 28, 1864
OBVERSE
A GRATEFUL COUNTRY TO HER GENEROUS SON * * * CORNELIUS VANDERBILT * * *.
Undraped bust of Cornelius Vanderbilt, facing the right.
REVERSE
America, personified as Minerva, stands, leaning with her left hand on the American shield, and holding in her right a sword which rests on her shoulder; to the right the American eagle;
to the left, the genius of the maritime cities imploring her aid and protection.
In the background, in the open sea, is the steamer Vanderbilt under steam;
above, a cloud with thunderbolts.
Exergue: BIS DAT QUI TEMPORI DAT (He gives twice who gives in time.) 1865
BACKGROUND
Cornelius Vanderbilt was born on Staten Island, New York, May 27, 1794. He went to New York city early in life, and engaged in the shipping business, in which, by his energy and perseverance, he in time acquired wealth, and became owner of several lines of steamers, running from New York to places along the coast. In 1851 he established a line of steamers to California, and in 1855 another to Europe. In March, 1862, he presented to the United States Government the magnificent ship which bore his name, for which generous gift Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He was made president of the New York and Harlem Railroad Company in May,1863; of the Hudson River Railroad Company in June, 1865; and of the New York Central Railroad Company in December, 1867. In November, 1869, the two last were consolidated, with a joint capital of ninety millions of dollars. He died in the city of New York, January 4, 1877. Cornelius Vanderbilt was, at the time of his death, one of the richest men in the world. Among his charities was a gift of one million dollars to the "Central University of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South," in Nashville, Tennessee, which, in consequence of this munificence, was named, in honor of him, Vanderbilt University. He was known by the sobriquet of "Commodore."
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to Cornelius Vanderbilt
Whereas, Cornelius Vanderbilt of New York, did, during the spring of 1862, make a free gift to his imperilled country of his new and staunch steamship "Vanderbilt," of five thousand tons burthen, built by him with the greatest care, of the best materials, at a cost of eight hundred thousand dollars, which steamship has ever since been actively employed in the service of the republic against the rebel devastations of her commerce;and
Whereas, The said Cornelius Vanderbilt has in no manner sought any requital of this magnificent gift, nor any official recognition thereof; therefore,
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be presented to Cornelius Vanderbilt for this unique manifestation of a fervidand large-souled patriotism.
Section 2. And be it further resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause a goldmedal to be struck, which shall fitly embody an attestation of the nation's gratitude for this gift; which medal shall be forwarded to Cornelius Vanderbilt, a copy of it being made and deposited for preservation in the library of Congress.
Approved January 28, 1864.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)