White Plume, Chief of the Kansas

In his Rough Draught 46, Miller describes the peace medal worn by his subject, White Plume, a chief of the Kansas Indians:

Below the necklace of wampum on his breast was worn a silver medal about four inches in diameter, suspended by a silver chain and probably eight or ten ounces in weight, bearing a bas-relief of the head of John Quincy Adams. This was no doubt presented to him by his great Father (the President) for meritorious services and as a mark of appreciation, of which he was justly very proud, always exhibiting it with great satisfaction and pleasure to all strangers, calling on him, as his badge of honor and distinction.

As Miller suggests, White Plume appears to wear the silver medal proudly. Though it is more difficult to discern in this version of the portrait, the former president’s silhouette which decorates the medallion resembles White Plume’s own profile as he gazes to his left with chin raised. (See the Walters portrait, CR# 307B, for a most distinct image of Adams’s profile on the medal.)

Karen B. McWhorter