Part 2
On the sinister side: a Man in complete Armour; his Sword-belt, Azure, fringed with Gold; his Helmet encircled with a Wreath of Laurel, and crested with one white & two blue Plumes: supporting with his dexter Hand the Escutcheon, and holding, in the exterior, a Lance with the point sanguinated; and upon it a Banner displayed, Vert,—in the Fess-point an Harp, or, stringed with Silver, between a Star in Chief, two Fleurs-de-lis in Fess, and a pair of Swords in Saltier, in Base, all Argent. The Tenants of the Escutcheon stand on a Scroll, on which the following Motto—
“Deo favente”—
which alludes to the _Eye_ in the Arms, meant for the Eye of Providence.
Over the Crest, in a Scroll, this Motto—
“Virtus sola invicta”—
which requires no comment.
The thirteen pieces, barways, which fill up the Field of the Arms, may represent the several States; and the same Number of Stars upon a blue Canton, disposed in a Circle, represent a new Constellation, which alludes to the new Empire, formed in the World by the Confœderation of those States—Their Disposition, in the form of a circle, denotes the Perpetuity of its Continuance, the Ring being the Symbol of Eternity. The Eagle displayed is the Symbol of Supreme Power & Authority, and signifies the Congress; the Pillar, upon which it rests, is used as the Hieroglyphic of Fortitude & Constancy; and, it’s being of the Doric Order, (which is the best proportioned & most agreeable to Nature,) & composed of several Members or parts, all, taken together, forming a beautiful Composition of Strength, Congruity & Usefulness, it may with great propriety signify a well planned Government. The Eagle, being placed on the Summit of the Column, is emblematical of the Sovereignty of the Government of the United States; and, as further expressive of that Idea, those two Charges or Figures are borne on a Pale, which extends across the thirteen pieces into which the Escutcheon is divided. The Signification of the Eye has been already explained.
The Helmet is such as appertains to Sovereignty; and the Cap is used as the Token of Freedom & Excellency: It was formerly worn by Dukes “because,” says Guillim, “_they Had a more worthy Government than other Subjects_.”—The Cock is distinguished for two most excellent Qualities, Necessary in a free Country, viz. _Vigilance & Fortitude_.
The Genius of the American confœderated Republic is denoted by her blue Scarf & Fillet, glittering with Stars, and by the Flag of Congress which she displays. Her Dress is white edged with green; Colours emblematical of Innocence and Youth. Her _purple_ Girdle & radiated _Crown_ indicate her Sovereignty: the Word “_Virtue_” on the former is to show, that _that_ should be her principal Ornament; and the _radiated_ Crown, that no _Earthly_ Crown shall rule her. The Dove on the Top of the American Standard denotes the Mildness & Lenity of her Government.
The Knight in Armour with his bloody Lance represents the Military Genius of the American Empire, armed in Defence of its just Rights. His _blue_ Belt & _blue_ Feathers indicate his Country, & the _white_ Plume is in Compliment to our gallant Ally. The Wreath of Laurel round his Helmet is expressive of his Success. The _Green_ Field of the Banner denotes Youth and Vigor; the Harp is emblematical of the several States acting in Harmony & Concert; the Star, _in Chief_, has reference to America, _as principal_ in the Contest; the two Fleurs-de-lis are borne as a grateful[22] Testimonial of the _Support_ given to her by France; and the two Swords, crossing each other, signify a State of War. This Tenant & his Flag relate, totally, to America at the Time of her _Revolution_.
WILLIAM BARTON.
This, the first device of Barton, was not illustrated, and his second device, of which he offered a colored drawing, differed from it in that he transferred the eye to the reverse and the eagle from the summit of the column to the crest, thereby eliminating the cock. He put at the summit of the column a phœnix rising from the flames, left out the American flag from the dexter supporter’s hand, and changed the sinister supporter from a warrior in armor to one in continental uniform, holding in his hand a baton instead of a lance. He also left out the harp and the fleur-de-lis and transferred the motto to the reverse. The fleur-de-lis was proposed to commemorate the alliance with France, this being the only report in which the alliance figured. The design is important, because it establishes the fact that the idea had become fixed of having in the seal the thirteen stars, the blue field, and thirteen stripes of red and white or white and red. In this design appears for the first time the eagle.
Barton’s second design was addressed to “The Hon^{ble}. Elias Boudinot, Esq^r. & Arthur Lee Es^q. In Congress.”
Device for an Armorial Atchievement & Reverse of a Great Seal, for the United States of North America: proposed by William Barton, Esq^r. A. M.—
Blazoned according to the Laws of Heraldry—
Arms.
Barry of thirteen pieces, Argent & Gules; on a pale, Or, a Pillar of the Doric Order, Vert, reaching from the Base of the Escutcheon to the Honor point; and from the Summit thereof, a Phœnix in Flames with Wings expanded, proper; the whole within a Border, Azure, charged with as many Stars as pieces barways, of the first.
[Illustration:
WILLIAM BARTON’S SECOND DESIGN
[Traced from the original and reduced one-half]
Face p. 28 ]
Crest.
On a Helmet of Burnished Gold, damasked, grated with six Bars, a Cap of Liberty, Vert; with an Eagle displayed, Argent, thereon: holding in his dexter Talon a Sword, Or, having a Wreath of Laurel suspended from the point; and, in the sinister, the Ensign of the United States, proper.
Supporters.
On the dexter side, the Genius of the American Confederated Republic: represented by a Maiden, with flowing Auburn Tresses; clad in a long, loose, white Garment, bordered with Green; having a Sky-blue Scarf, charged with Stars as in the Arms, reaching across her Waist from her right Shoulder to her left Side; and, on her Head, a _radiated_ Crown of Gold, encircled with an Azure Fillet spangled with Silver Stars; round her Waist a purple Girdle, embroidered with the Word “Virtus”, in Silver:—a Dove, proper, perched on her dexter Hand.
On the sinister side, an American Warrior; clad in an uniform Coat, of blue faced with Buff, and in his Hat a Cockade of black & white Ribbons; in his left Hand, a Baton Azure, semé of Stars Argent.
Motto, over the Crest—
“_In Vindiciam Libertatis_”
Motto, under the Arms—
“_Virtus sola invicta_”
Reverse of the Seal.
A Pyramid of thirteen Strata, (or Steps) Or. In the Zenith; an Eye, surrounded with a Glory, proper.
In a Scroll, above—or in the Margin
“_Deo favente_”
The Exergue
“_Perennis_”
Remarks.
The Imperial Eagle of Germany (which is sable, and with two Heads) is represented with a Sword in one Talon, and a Sceptre in the other.
The Phœnix is emblematical of the expiring Liberty of Britain, revived by her Descendants in America.
The Dove (perched on the right Hand of the Genius of America) is Emblematical of Innocence and Virtue.
The Sword (held by the Eagle) is the Symbol of Courage, Authority & Power. The Flag or Ensign denotes the United States of America, of the sovereignty of which the Eagle is expressive.
The Pillar is the Hieroglyphic of Constancy & Fortitude; and is likewise emblematical of Beauty, Strength & Order.
The Pyramid signifies Strength & Duration.
The other parts have been explained.
The Armorial Atchievements of Sovereign Princes & States are usually blazoned by the planets, to represent the Colours; but that mode is purposely deviated from, being condemned by the best Heralds.
The committee adopted this complicated design and reported it to Congress May 9, 1782, but Congress was not satisfied with it, and on June 13 it was referred to the Secretary of Congress.
The endorsement on Barton’s design is in Thomson’s hand, except the last sentence, “Passed,” etc.:
N^o. 26—Report of M^r. Middleton M^r. Boudinot M^r. Rutledge. Device of a Seal Ent^d. May 9, 1782 June 13–1782 Referred to the Sec^y of the United States in Congress Assembled to take order. Passed June 20 1782.
The number on the report had reference to the arrangement of papers in the Secretary’s office. The words “Passed June 20 1782,” had reference to the later design.
It should be noticed that Barton termed the description of his device a “blazon”—that is, a verbal description so precise that a person understanding heraldry would be able to draw and color the arms correctly. All of the other reports on the seal were blazons also, thus showing the purpose of making an illuminated arms.
Barton’s design for the obverse, as he drew it for the committee, was 9½ inches by 8 inches large, and the reverse 2½ inches in diameter, and both were in colors, the coloring following the description correctly, and the lettering and scroll work being in black and white. The circumstances under which Barton was called upon to submit his final design were noted by him in a memorandum which he left among his papers:
In June, 1782 [he says] when Congress was about to form an armorial device for a Great Seal for the United States, Charles Thomson, Esq., then Secretary of Congress, with Hon. Arthur Lee and Elias Boudinot, member of Congress, called on me and consulted me on the occasion. The Great Seal, for which I furnished these gentlemen with devices (as certified by Charles Thomson, Esq.), was adopted by Congress on the 20th of June, 1782. Mr. Thomson informed me, four days after, that they met with general approbation.
W. BARTON.[23]
IV THE SECRETARY’S DEVICE
Barton’s elaborate design fixed the reverse, but that part of the seal does not appear to have caused much discussion. For the obverse it produced the displayed eagle, but Barton’s eagle was crested and not the American or bald-headed eagle.
The whole matter now having by order of Congress come into the hands of Charles Thomson, he took a radical departure from all previous designs. Putting the eagle as the central figure of his design, he specified that it be an American eagle, rising, not displayed. As emblematic of the war power he put in the sinister talon a bundle of arrows, where Barton had put the American flag, introducing the arrows into the seal for the first time. To picture peace he put in the eagle’s dexter talon an olive branch which had figured in the device of the second committee, instead of Barton’s sword and wreath of laurel. For the crest he used the constellation of thirteen stars surrounded by clouds, as in the second committee’s report, and arranged the red and white stripes, which the second committee had made diagonal and Barton horizontal, in chevrons, one side of red and white, the other of white and red. From the report of the first committee he took the motto “E pluribus unum.” He made or had made a rough drawing of his device, which was colored. It was almost 4 inches in diameter. For the reverse he adopted Barton’s device, changing only the mottoes. These were from Virgil, “Audacibus annue cœptis” (favor my daring undertaking), being found in the Æneid, book 9, verse 625 (also in the Georgics, 1, 40), and “Magnus ab integro seclorum nascitur ordo” (the great series of ages begins anew), coming from the fourth eclogue, fifth verse. Although the form “seclorum” was adopted, the more approved spelling is “sæclorum.”[24]
The report which follows is entirely in Thomson’s handwriting and is endorsed by him “The Secretary’s device:”
Device for an Armorial Atchievement and Reverse of a great Seal for the United States in Congress Assembled.
Arms.
On a field Chevrons composed of seven pieces on one side & six on the other, joined together at the top in such wise that each of the six bears against or is supported by & supports two of the opposite side the pieces of the chevrons on each side alternate red & white. The shield born on the breast of an American Eagle on the Wing & rising proper. In the dexter talon of the Eagle an Olive branch & in the sinister a bundle of arrows. Over the head of the Eagle a constellation of Stars surrounded with bright rays and at a little distance clouds.
[Illustration:
CHARLES THOMSON’S DESIGN
[Traced from the original]
Face p. 34 ]
In the bill of the Eagle a scroll with the words E pluribus unum.—
Reverse
A pyramid unfinished
In the Zenith an Eye in a triangle surrounded with a glory, proper.
Over the eye these words
Annuit cœptis
On the base of the pyramid the numerical letters
MDCCLXXVI
and underneath these words
Novus ordo seclorum.
N. B. the Head & tail of the American bald Eagle are white the body & wings of a lead or dove colour.
This design of Thomson’s was returned to Barton, who changed it by inserting pales for the chevrons, the colors alternating white and red, with a blue chief. He restored the displayed eagle as in his own design and specified that the bundle of arrows should contain thirteen. He also recommended that in the exergue should be the date of American independence and in the margin a Latin legend, “Sigul. Mag. Reipub. Confœd.,” but in the final design this was left out. The report was written by Barton and is endorsed by Thomson, “M^r. Barton’s improvement on the Secretary’s device.”
Device for an Armorial Atchievement for the United States of North America, blazoned agreeably to the Laws of Heraldry—proposed by Wm. Barton, A. M.
Arms.
Paleways of [25]thirteen pieces, Argent & Gules; a Chief Azure:—The Escutcheon placed on the Breast of an American (the bald-headed) Eagle, displayed, proper; holding in his Beak a Scroll, inscribed with this Motto, viz.
“E pluribus Unum”—
And in his dexter Talon a Palm or an Olive Branch—in the other a Bundle of 13 Arrows; all proper.
For the Crest.
Over the Head of the Eagle, which appears above the Escutcheon, a Glory, Or; breaking through a Cloud, proper, and surrounding thirteen Stars forming a Constellation, Argent, on an Azure Field.
In the Exergue of the Great Seal—
“Jul. iv. MDCCLXXVI”—
In the Margin of the same—
“Sigil. Mag. Reipub.
“Confœd. Americ.”
Remarks.
The Escutcheon is composed of the Chief & Pale, the two most honorable ordinaries: the latter represent the several States; all joined in one solid, compact Entire, supporting a Chief, which unites the whole & represents Congress—The Motto alludes to this Union.—The Colours or Tinctures of the Pales are those used in the Flag of the United States—White signifies Purity & Innocence; Red, Hardiness & Valour. The Chief denotes Congress—Blue is the Ground of the American uniform, and this Colour signifies Vigilance, Perseverance & Justice.
The Meaning of the Crest is obvious, as is likewise that of the Olive Branch & Arrows.
The Escutcheon being placed on the Breast of the Eagle displayed is a very antient Mode of bearing, & is truly imperial. The Eagle _displayed_ is an Heraldical Figure; and, being borne in the Manner here described, supplies the Place of Supporters & Crest. The American States need no Supporters but their own Virtue, and the Preservation of their Union through Congress.—The Pales in the Arms are kept closely united by the Chief, which last likewise depends on that Union & the Strength resulting from it, for its own Support—the Inference is plain.
W. B.
June 19^{th}. 1782
This report originated from two sources, Thomson and Barton, and the agency of each is clearly defined. The distinction of producing the arms of the United States can not justly be accorded wholly to either, but belongs wholly to both, with the larger share of distinction to the Secretary, Charles Thomson.
On June 24, four days after the seal had been adopted, Thomson wrote to Barton:
I enclose you a copy of the device by which you have displayed your skill in heraldic science, and which meets with general approbation.
The chief change made by Barton in Thomson’s design was in the substitution for the chevrons of thirteen pales, alternate white and red, with a blue chief, and this has been often attributed, without adequate warrant, to an outside source, which deserves to be noticed.
Sir John Prestwich was a distinguished English antiquary and a friend of the American Revolution. He enjoyed an acquaintance with John Adams when the latter was on his foreign mission in 1779, and they conversed on the subject of the seal, in which Adams, of course, took an interest, as he had been on the first committee to design it. It appears that Sir John made certain suggestions for a design which were afterwards enlarged into a claim by others that he had made the design of the arms which was finally adopted. Sifting from the question the conjecture and inference surrounding it one fact is important. It is set forth by the historian Benson J. Lossing in the Field Book of the American Revolution and War of 1812:[26]
In the manuscript letter before me [he says], written in 1818 by Thomas Barritt, Esq., an eminent antiquary of Manchester, England, addressed to his son in this country, is the following statement: “My friend, Sir John Prestwich, Bart., told me he was the person who suggested the idea of a coat of arms for the American States to an embassador [John Adams] from thence, which they have seen fit to put on their moneys. It is this, he told me—party per pale of thirteen stripes, white and red, the chief of the escutcheon, blue, signifying the protection of Heaven over the States.—He says it was soon after adopted, as the arms of the States, and to give it more prominence was placed upon the breast of a displayed eagle.”
There is no claim here that Sir John Prestwich suggested the eagle as an emblem, or the placing of the shield upon the eagle’s breast, but simply the pales and the chief. The theory is that Adams communicated this suggestion to Charles Thomson, who engrafted it upon his own and Barton’s designs. But it must be remembered that two shields were already on the files of Congress, with alternate red and white, or white and red, stripes, and Barton’s first design had bars of the same colors. Prestwich’s suggestion was, therefore, no more than that they be perpendicular instead of diagonal or parallel, and that the chief be blue; but in the device submitted by the committee of 1780 the diagonal stripes were charged upon a _field azure_. Sir John Prestwich, of course, knew nothing of these designs, and his statement after the seal was adopted was made in ignorance of the fact that the essentials of his suggestion were already before Congress.[27] That his suggestion influenced the final result even in the slight degree possible, seems improbable. Why did Thomson, with the Prestwich suggestion before him, make his first shield of chevrons, which Barton, it appears, changed to pales? Thomson may have told Barton of the Prestwich design, but what is more natural than that Barton should try of his own initiative the only new arrangement of the stripes that was left to try? Diagonal stripes, bars, chevrons, had all figured in designs and had not given satisfaction. Pales were then drawn and proved acceptable.
V THE ARMS ADOPTED
On June 20, 1782, the seal was finally decided upon.
On report of the secretary, to whom were referred the several reports on the device for a great seal, to take order:
The device for an armorial achievement and reverse of the great seal for the United States in Congress assembled, is as follows:
ARMS. Paleways of thirteen pieces, argent and gules; a chief, azure; the escutcheon on the breast of the American eagle displayed proper, holding in his dexter talon an olive branch, and in his sinister a bundle of thirteen arrows, all proper, and in his beak a scroll, inscribed with this motto, “_E pluribus Unum_.”
For the CREST. Over the head of the eagle, which appears above the escutcheon, a glory, or, breaking through a cloud, proper, and surrounding thirteen stars, forming a constellation, argent, on an azure field.
REVERSE. A pyramid unfinished. In the zenith, an eye in a triangle, surrounded with a glory proper. Over the eye these words, “_Annuit Cœptis_.” On the base of the pyramid the numerical letters MDCCLXXVI. And underneath the following motto, “_Novus Ordo Seclorum_.”[28]
REMARKS AND EXPLANATION
The Escutcheon is composed of the chief & pale, the two most honorable ordinaries. The pieces, paly, represent the Several States all joined in one solid compact entire, supporting a Chief, which unites the whole & represents Congress. The Motto alludes to this union. The pales in the arms are kept closely united by the chief and the chief depends on that Union & the strength resulting from it for its support, to denote the Confederacy of the United States of America & the preservation of their Union through Congress. The colours of the pales are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the colour of the Chief signifies vigilance perseverance & justice. The Olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace & war which is exclusively vested in Congress. The Constellation denotes a new State taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers. The Escutcheon is born on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters, to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own Virtue.
Reverse. The pyramid signifies Strength and Duration: The Eye over it & the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favour of the American cause. The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the new American Æra, which commences from that date.
[Illustration:
THE FIRST SEAL (1782) ]
[Illustration:
THE SECOND SEAL (1841)
Face p. 43 ]
This entire report is in Thomson’s handwriting and is endorsed by him: “Device for a Great Seal for the United States in Congress Assembled. Passed June 20, 1782.” In the journals of Congress the “Remarks and explanation” are left out, but they constitute an essential part of the fundamental law as Congress adopted it.
The different features of the seal had all been in common use in America. In the North Carolina paper currency of 1775 appears a bundle of thirteen arrows; in the Maryland currency of the same year a hand grasping an olive branch with thirteen leaves; on a fifty-dollar bill issued in 1778 is an unfinished pyramid, with the motto “Perennis;” in the Massachusetts copper penny of 1776 are thirteen stars, surrounding an _eagle_; the flag had the thirteen stripes, and so had the seal of the Board of Admiralty, adopted May 4, 1780.