Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-01
THE STATE SEAL,

We suspect there are few persons, even in
Virginia itself, who can fully interpret the familiar
device upon the great seal of the State. 1t is a
very common impression that the female figure,
standing over the PROSTATE body of the fallen ty-
rant, represents the genius of Liberty But this
is an error; as will appear from the following ex-
tract from the journal of the Revolutionary Con-
veptlon of Virginia. that ustrous and memorable
body, which met at Williamsburg on the 9th of
May 1776; on the 18th of May, TITS, unani-
mously adopted resolution instructing the Vir-
ginia delegates to propose to Congress "to declare
the United Colonies free and Independent Sfates;"
on the 18th of June following, unanimously adopt
ed the Declaration of Rights; and, on the 29th
Of the same month, unanimously agreed to the
first constitution 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 de-
ts -mined heroism and loftier patriotism than were
displayed in the deliberations of that remarkable
assembly. In those days, when the utterance of
an mprudent word might compromise mans
safety, by subjectng him 10 the suspicion of the
J
than we are apt to attribute to them in our time.
The Convention was not content to declare for in
dependence, to proclaim the fundamental princi-
Piles of civil liberty, and to institute new repub-
lican government, but they determined that the
acts of that government must be attested in a
manner that should be typical of its origin The
conception of Virtue victorious over Tyranny was
worthy of the momentous occasion that suggested
it. The State seal thus became a prophecy, the
fulflment of which was enacted at Yorktown
1t should be our pride 10 treasure it as precious
memorial of the men who devised it, and Of what
Virginia was in the days of her youth.
The device for the diverse of the Seal will pro-
baby be new to many of our readers.
is worthy of remark that the adoption of the
Seal was the last act of the Convention before its
adjournment
Extract from, the Journal
Friday, Julu5 1916
MIR. George Mason, from the Committee appointed
TO devise proper seal for this Commonwealth re-
ported, that the committee had accordingly prepared
the following device thereof which he read in his ace
ana afterwards delivered in at the clerks table, when
'he same was again twice read and agreed to.
,,,,,To BE EssRAyED ON THE GREAT SEAL.
YIN US, The genius OF the Commo wealth dress.
ed Ike an Amazon, resting on spear with one hand
s and holding sword in the other and ueading on
I'm nANN represented by man PROSTATE, a crown
fallen from his head broken chain in bis Ist hand
and seourge in his right $50 -NAN'
10 the exeIgon. the word VIRGINIA over the head Of
mis-. ~ F'' 'Vo"'
On the reverse, group.
LlbEh a vain Ger wand and piieus
hand and an OF wheat IN the other '''p'" III
On The other side, ETERNITAs. with the globe
and pheenix. NOs
In the exergon, these words
DEUS NoRIs HlBc oTIA FHcrr
Resolved, That George Wythe and John Pane
Esques, be desired to superntend the engraving III.
said SEAL and 10 take that the same be properly
executed.
Adjourned till the first Monday in October next, TO
meet at the city oil w Williamsburg; but in case of neces
sity, such other place the Governor, with the adj
vice OF the Prvy Council. shall appoint.
lTbe Committee 10 devise the seal, MIR. Rich.
ard Henry Lee Nj. Geo. Mason, Mr.. Treasurer and
Mr.. WytheI