The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-11
UNCLE SANS GREAT SEAL.
It's True History as Prepared by the
Historian ofthe State Department.

It's True History as Prepared by the
Historian ofthe State Department..
From the Mem York Sun.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2O.-The great seal Of
the United States, which is contained in a
massive mahogany box in the state depart
ment and carefully guarded by the clerks,
whose duties are to see that its impress
J is properly affixed to state papers, is Of
much interest to visitors TO the department.
but It's true history was never written
until "a few months ago, when, under
orders from the cabinet, an account of it
was prepared by one Of the historians Of
the department aud printed at the govern
meut's expense for distribution among state
libraries aud prominent persons. The PAM
phlet was prepared with ali the care thatlts
Importance carried, bound in rich covering,
with the stamp Of the seal imprinted on the
outside IL tells that the final attempt to
perfect seal was made by order Of the con-
tinental C ngre5s which appointed a COM
mittee, consisting Of Thomas jefferson,
John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, who
were told 60 go ahead and prepare a device
for the national seal and coat-of-arms.
After several months labor the committee
suggested design most elaborate III exc
cutIon, but which did not meet with very
general approval. This device represented
Pharaoh sitting IN an open chariot, with
crown Oh ms Iehu anu a sworn III ulS manu.
passing through the waters OF the Red sea in
pursuit of the Israelites Rays from a
pillar on ire in a cloud, expressive Of the
divine sprese ace and command, b9amed
upon Moses, who stood on the shore and
extended hand over the sea, which caused
IL 20 overwhelm Pharaoh. Underneath
was the motto, Rebellion to tyrants is
obedience to God"
Later an another attempt was made 20
arr a v
which resulted in one not quite so elaborate
and preteDtiOus This design contained
constellation Of thirteen stars. with the
same number of alternate stripes. This, too,
met with disapproval, and the matter was
let alone for some years. Then, after more
experiments "a device was submitted that
suited, and was adopted on June 20, 1882
The first seal was cut out Of brass, and was
first used upon the com mission granting
full power aud authority TO Washington to
arrange with the British for 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 in Philadelphia
in lS4l, and by some mistake, seven of the
thirteen arrows which 1t should have had
were left out The present seal was made by
Tiffany in 1855 by order OF Secretary Frey
linghuvsen after the design had been passed
upon by a committee of historical scholars
and authorities on heraldry, It is not true,
as generally supposed, that the seal is affixed
TO all appointments made by the President,
its impress is put only upon commissions of
cabinet officers, ceremonious commuuica-
lions from the President TO heads of foreign
governments, conventions, treaties and
formal agreements of the President with
foreign powers, pardons, or communications
Of sentence, warrants, and miscellaneous
commissions Of civil officers, whose appoint
ments are not now especially directed to be
signed under IA different seal. All treaties
TO which the seal is affixed have the impress
sion made also with a wax wafer, with a
red, white, and blue cord running through
it. The treaties are then packed in boxes Of
highly-polisded and expensive woods, to
be sent to the country negotiating them
with US. The treaties Of some foreign
governments have been sent in boxes of
gold and silver, richly ornamented, in some
instances, with valuable stones. These
boxes are carefully stored in the archives
Of the department.