Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-21
of the pyramid the numerican letters
MDCCL.XXFI. And underneath the follow
| ing motto .Noyus Ordo Seclorum.

of the pyramid the numerican letters
MDCCLXXyI. And underneath the follow
ing motto. .Noyus Ordo Seclorum.
Remarks and Explanation.
Accompanying the report and adopted by
Congress were the following remarks and
explanation:
THE Escutcheon is composed of the chief
and pale the two most honorable ordi
naries. The pieces. paly. represent the
several States all Joined in one solid COM
pact entire. supporting Chief. which
unites the whole and represents Congress.
The Motto alludes to this union. The pales
in the arms are kept closely united by the
chief and the chief depends on tnat Union
and the strength resulting from it for its
support. to denote the ConfederacY of the
United States of America and the preserva-
ton of their Union through Congress. The
colours of the pales are those used In the
flag of the United States of America: White
signifies purity and innocence. Red hardi-
ness and valour, and Blue. the colour OF
the Chief, signifies vigilance, perseverance
& Justice. The Olive branch and arrows
denote the power of peace and war, which
is exclusively vested In Congress. The
Constellation denotes new State taking
It's place and rank among other sovereign
powers The Escutcheon is born on the
breast of an American Eagle without any
other supporters, to denote that the United
States ought to rely on their own Virtue.
Reverse. The pyramid signifies Strength
and Duration: The Eye over 1t and the
motto allude to the many signal interposi-
lions of providence in favour of the Ameri-
can cause. The date underneath is that of
the Declaration of Independence and the
words under it signify the beginning of the
new American Era, which commences from
that date"
found on a commission dated September
Is, 1882 granting full power and authority
to General Washington to arrange with
the British for exchange of prisoners Of
war. This seal continued In use for fifty
nine years. The reverse of this seal mas
never been cut, and 1t has been allowed to
go unnoticed officially to the present day.
The second seal was cut in 1S41, when
Daniel Webster was Secretary of State.
and was continued in use up to 1885. IT
contained but six arrows. and its dimen-
sions were smaller than the present SEAL
Present Seal Cut in 1885.
The seal now in use, and about to be rele-
gated to the archives. was cut in 1885.
while Mr.. Frelinghuysen was Secretary Of
State, after the design had been approved
by several historic scholars and authorities
on heraldry. Under the law the Secretary
of State is the legal custodian of the seal.
but he has no power to affix it to any paper
that does not bear the Presidents sigma
ture.
AS the duties of the government have ex-
banded. the impracticability> of having the
seal Of the United States attached by the
Department Of State to the commission of
officers who are under some other depart
ment has been recognized by Congress BY
the act of March IL, 1874, the commissions
OF postmasters were directed to be made
out under the seal of the Post Office De-
partment; the act of March 8. 1876 placed
the commission of officers of the Interior
Department under that department.; and
by act of August g. 1888. all judicial Off
GERS. marshals. and United States attorneys
were ordered to be appointed under the
present time the seal of the United States
is affixed to the commissions of all cabinet
officers and diplomatic and consular officers
who are nominated by the President and
confirmed by the Senate; all ceremonious
communications from the President to the
heads of foreign governments; all treaties,
and formal agreements of the
President with foreign powers; all pardons
or combinations of sentence by the Presi-
dent to offenders who have been convicted
before the courts of the United States; all
proclamations by the President; all exc
quaturs to foreign consular officers In the
United States who are appointed by the
heaus Of the government which they repre-
sent; to warrants by the President to re-
ceive persons surrendered by foreign gov
under extradition treaties; and
to all miscellaneous commissions of civil
officers appointed by the President, by and
with the advice and consent Of the Senate,
directed by law to be signed under differ
on