On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress, after declaring the
English-American colonies to be free and independent States, appointed a committee to report a device for a seal—the emblem of sovereignty.
That committee and others, from time to time, presented unsatisfactory devices.
Finally, in the spring of 1782,
Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress, gave to that body a device mainly suggested to
John Adams, then
United States minister to
Great Britain, by
Sir John Prestwich, an eminent English antiquary.
This suggestion was made the basis of a design adopted by Congress June 20, 1782, and which is still the device of the great seal of the country.
It is composed of a spreadeagle, the emblem of strength, bearing on its breast an escutcheon with thirteen stripes, alternate
red and
white, like the national flag.
In its right talon the eagle holds an olive-branch, the emblem of peace, and in its left thirteen arrows, emblems of the thirteen States, ready for war should it be necessary.
In its beak is a ribbon bearing the legend “E Pluribus Unum” — “Many in one” —many States making
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one nation, a motto doubtless suggested by its appearance on the title-page of the
London Gentleman's magazine.
Over the head of the eagle is a golden light breaking through a cloud surrounding thirteen stars, forming a constellation on a blue field.
On the reverse is an unfinished pyramid, emblematic of the unfinished republic, the building of which—the increase of States and Territories—is still going on. In the zenith is an all-seeing eye surrounded by light, and over this eye the words “Annuit Coeptis” — “God favors the undertaking.”
On the base of the pyramid, in Roman numerals, is the date 1776,
and below, the words “Novus Ordo Seclorum” — “A new order of ages.”
This was for a pendant seal, now not used; the recumbent seal, the obverse above described, being always used.
See
United States Great seal.
