The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-08-25
CURIOUS SEALS.
an Important Treaty Sealed with . Buttoa
-Orisin OF the "Lons Star" In the Banner

an Important Treaty Sealed with . Buttoa
-Orisin OF the "Lons Star" In the Banner
ofTsxas.
At the time the Treaty of Washing
ton" with England was signed in our
national capital, in May, 1871. when
one of the messengers at the State De-
partment was asking each of the High
Commissioners for his seal to affix to
the document, the five Englishmen. of
course, had seals, which they gave him
to use, and some of our five Commits
sioners had them also but it is as
serted BY one who ought to know that
Judge Hoar, of Massachusetts,, when
asked for his seal. answered, 81 have
none, but this will do" and took off
one of ais sleeve buttons and handed
that to the colored messenger of the
State Department who was impressing
the seals upon the wax, and it was
used for that purpose.
On being told the above story the
writer asked at the State Department
lately to see the original Treaty of
Washington. and was shown it, and
while tbe wax has clipped so much on
some OF the seals IN the CvuI 70 Of GIiIie
that their devices are nearly obliterated.
it is easy to see that more than one of
our Commissioners did not use a regu-
lar seal, but button, or something
similar.
In connection with curious things
which have been used as seals when
one made for the purpose was lacking.
it is told that the "lone star" in the
banner of Texas originated in that
way. When she was struggling (many
years before we annexed her) for indie
pendence, on one occasion some of
those earnestly interested in her behalf
were preparing a document TO be sent
here TO General Jackson while he was
President, and when it was concluded.
one gentleman remarked: This
needs seal, and we have
none" To which another instantly
answered 1--WE will use this for
seal" And pouring melted wax on
the paper, he stamped it with one of
the military buttons cut from his coat.
which button having a single star upon
it, that became the emblem of the
State.
John Quincy Adams, in August
1881, mentioned in his diary receiving
note from Mr. Madison (the ex-
Presidency, and adds: THE seal was
the initials of his name and the motto,
'Feritas non verba magistri.'
John Quincy Adams while President
wrote the following as to another seal
he designed, and criticises the use now
ca IN, 1,I,n-' &
pugnant objects, such as snakes, etc.
for any such purpose. MIR. Dickins.
Secretary TO the Columbian Institute.
brought me, TO examine, designs for
n seal and diploma for that society.
well drawn, and which. suggesting
some alterations. approved. They
have not adopted the device | had pro-
posed for a seal, but propose in its
stead q Kissing rattlesnake coiled
round book. TO which / objected -
odious imagery; and instead of the
classical motto from Horace: Lucent
sidera nautis, with the ship, they have
discarded the ship. and substituted for
the motto: 'Favent astra,' which dis
approved as borrowed from the false
science of judicial astrology. and there
fore inappropriate to an institution for
the promotion of true science. On
this, as on the former occasion of the
pediment TO the capitol, / observe the
extreme diversities in the sentiments of
learned and ingenious men upon mat
tiers of taste and invention. My devices
for the seal and motto were. in my own
self-conceit, ingenious, classical, ele-
giant and appropriate, but no one thought
them so except myself, and they have
taken in its stead serpent sibilant.
which would be an excellent emblem
for the House of Representatives at
this time, but in my Judgment a very
absurd enc for a learned and literary
institution; and instead of the stars of
Horace Illuminating the mariners
night, they have the stars of judicial
astrology favoring the deadly venom of
the rattlesnake. "-WdShingtOn Cor.
HGrper'S Bdzar.