Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-05

We suspect there are few persons, even
in Virginia itself who can fully interpret
the familiar device upon the great seal Of
the State. It's a very common impression
that the female figure, standing over the
PROSTATE body of the fallen ,yrant. repre-
sents the genius of Liberty. But this is an
error; as win appear from the following
extract from the Journal ofthe Revolution
airy Convention of Virginia, that illustrious
and memorable body, which met at Viii
lamsburg on the 9th Of May ZIG; on the
18th Of May, 1776, unanimously adopted
a resolution instruciing the Virginia dele
gates to propose to Congress ito declare
the United Colonies free and Independent
States;'' on the 18th Of June following,
unanimously adopted the Declaration Of
Rights; and, on the goth of the same
month, unanimously agreed to the first con-
stitution of Virginia, and thus perfected
the Independent State government FIVE
days before independence was declared by
Congress. History may be searched in
vain for record Of more determined hero
ism and loftier patriotism than were dis
played in the deliberations of that rernarka-
BILE assembly. In those days, when the
utterance Of animprudent word might COM
promise mans safety, by subjectng him
to the suspicion of the British authorities,
firms had more consequences than we are
apt to attribute to them in our time. The
Convention was not content to declare for
independence, to proclaim the fundamental
principles of civil liberty, and to institute
new republican government, but they de-
tcrmined that the acts of that government
must be attested in manner that should
be typical ofits origin. The conception of
Virtue victorious over Tyranny worthy of
the momcntous occasion that suggested it.
The State seal thus became a prophecy,
the fulflment of which was enacted at
Yorktown. Itshould be our pride to trea-
sure it as precious memorial Of the men
who devised it, and of what Virginia was
in the days other youth.
The device for the diverse Of the Seal
will probably be new to many Of our read
crs
1t is worthy of remark that the adoption
Of the Seal was the last act Of the Con-
vcnton before Its adjournment.
Er'ract from tie Journal.
F,iiay, July 5, l776.
Mr.. Gcogc Mason, from the committee appointed
to devise proper seal for this Commonwealth, re-
ported. that the committee had according prepared
the following device thereof; which he read in his
place, and afterwards delivered in the clerk ta-
be when the same was again twice read and agreed
to.
TO BE ENGRAVED OF TIE GREAT SEAL.
VIRTUS. the genius ofthc Commonwealth, dress
ed like an Amazon, resting on spear with one hand,
and holding sword in the other, and treading on
TYRANNY, represented by a man prostitute. Il
crown fallen from his head, a broken chain in his
left hand, and n scournge in his right.
in the excrgon, the word VIRGINIA over the head
of VIRUS; and underneath, the words Sic scmper
tyra'mis.
On the reverse group.
LIBERTAS, with her wand and piieus.
On one side of her, CERES; with the co,nucopia
in one hand and an ear of wheat in the other.
On the otl.cr side, ETERNITAS, with the globe
and phoenix.
In the excrgon, these words:
DEUS NoBIs HEC oTIA FEcIT.
Resolso3, That George Wythe and John Page,
Es1uires be desired superintcd the engraving the
said seal and to take care that the same be proper
y executed.
Adjourned till the first Monday in October next,
to meet at the city of Williamsburg; but, in Of
necessity, at such other place the Governor with
the advice of the Privy Council, shall appoint.
The Cummitte to devise the seal, were Mr.. Rich
ard Henry Lee Mr.. Geo Mason, Mr.. Treasurer md
Mr. Wvthr