Note 58 — THE GOLD CROSS AND CLASPS.[55]

It appears that the Duke of Wellington was in favour of a more general distribution, for in a letter dated Vera, 6th. November, 1813, addressed to Marshal Sir William Carr Beresford, K.B., in reference to his claim for the Ciudad Rodrigo medal, he remarked, “In regard to the medals, I have always been of opinion, that government should have extended the principle more than they did; and in executing their orders, I believe it will be found that, whenever a medal could be given to an individual under the orders of government, I have inserted his name in the return. However, my decision on this or any other subject is not final; and if anybody doubts, I wish he would apply to superior authority.”—The Wellington Dispatches.