The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1893-04-05
UNCLE SAM GREAT SEAL,
HTS TRUE HISTORY As PREPARED IN
THE HISTORIAN OFTHE UNITED
STATES
From the New YORK Sun.

From the New YORK Sun.
The gIeat seal of the United States
which is contained in massive mahoe-
any box in the state department ana care
fully guarded by the clerks whose du-
ties are to see that its impress IS proper
Nv affixed to state papers, is OF much IN
xerest to visitors to the department, but
Sts true history was never written until
a few months ago, when, under orders
from the cabinet, an account OF 1t was
pared by one of the historians OF the de-
Dartment and printed at the govern
ynent's expense for distribution among
state libraries and prominent persons.
The pamphlet was prepared with all the
care that its Importance carried, bound
in rich covering with the stamp or the
seal imprinted upon the outside. lttelIs
Che final attempt to perfect seal made
by order of the continental congress
which appointed committee, consisting
of Thomas jefferson, John Adams and
BENJAMIN Franklin, who were told to go
ahead and prepare a device for the ma
fional seal and coat Of arms After sew
eral months labor the committee sug-
gested a design m 1st elaborate in eXeCu-
ton, but " hich did not meet wild very
general approval This device repre-
scented Pharaoh sitting in an open char
Tot. with crown on his head and a
sword in his hand passing through the
Israeltes. Rays from pillar of fire in
a cloud, expressive of Divine presence in
command, b9amed upon Moses, who
stood on the shore and extended hand
over the sea, which caused it to over.
whelm Pharaoh. Underneath was the
motto, 'Rebelliou to tyrants is obedi-
ence IT. God"
Later on another attempt was made to
arrange device by a second committee,
which resulted in one not quite so elab-
crate and pretentious. This design con-
tanned a constellation of thirteen stars,
with the same number of alternate
stripes. This, too, met with disap-
provaI, and the matter was let alone for
some years. Then, after more expert
ments, a device was submitted that
suited, and was adopted on January 20,
1882.
The first seal was cut out of brass, and
was first used on the commits sion grant
ing full pow er and authority to Wash
ington to arrange with the British Tor an
exchange of prisoners. This device was
in use for fifty years, and varies little
from the present seal except in detail of
execution.
The second seal was cut out in Phila-
t1elphia in 1841, and by some mistake,
seven of the thirteen arrows which it
should have had were left out. The
present seal was made by Tiffany in 1885
by order of Secretary Freylinghuysen
after THE design had oeen passed upon
by committee of historical scholars
true, as generally supposed, that the seal
as fixed to all appointments made by the
president, as its impress is put only upon
commissions Of cabinet officers, ceremo-
nious communications from the president
so heads of foreign governments, con-
Ventjons, treaties and formal agreements
of the president with foreign powers,
pardOns or combinations of sentence,
warrants, and miscellaneous commits
Sions of civil officers, whose appoint
ments are lot now especially directed to
be signed under a different seal. All
treaties to which the seal is affixed have
She impression made also with a wax
wafcr, with red, white and blue cord
running through it. The treaties are
then packed IN boxes of highly polished
andezpensive woods, to be sent to the
country negotiating with us. The treat
1es are#.. then packed in boxes of
highly polished and expensive woods
80 De sent to the country negotiating
with as. The treaties of some foreign
governments have been sent in boxes. Of
gold and silver, richly onamented in
some instances with valuable stones.
These boxes are carefully stored in the
archives of the department.
Guaranteed Cure.
" authorize our advertised druggist