History of the National Flag of the United States of AmericaHamilton, Schuyler
History
History of the National Flag of the United States of America
Hamilton, Schuyler
Flags -- United States
"The green field of the banner denotes youth and vigor; the
harp[61] [with thirteen strings], emblematical of the several
States acting in harmony and concert; the star _in chief_ has
reference to America, as _principal_ in the contest; the two
_fleurs-de-lis_ are borne as a grateful[62] testimony of the
_support_ given to her by France, and the two swords, crossing each
other, signify the state of war. This tenant and his flag relate
totally to America at the time of her Revolution.
(Signed,) "WM. BARTON."
[61] The pen is run through the words, "with thirteen
strings," in the original.
[62] "In the arms of Scotland, as manifested in the royal
atchievement, the double fressure which surrounds the lion is
borne _flory_ and _counter-flory_ (with _fleurs-de-lis_),
which is in consequence of a treaty that was entered into
between Charlemagne, then Emperor and King of France, and
Achius, King of Scotland; to denote that the French lilies
should guard and defend the Scottish lion."
Mr. Middleton, Mr. Boudinot, and Mr. Rutledge, reported a modification
of this, June 13, 1782, which was referred to the Secretary of the
United States, in Congress assembled, to take order.
Device for a Great Seal, as adopted June 20, 1782.
"The Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled, to whom
was referred the several reports of committees on the device of a
Great Seal to take order, reports:--
"That the device for an armorial atchievement, and reverse of a
Great Seal for the United States in Congress assembled, is as
follows:--
"ARMS.--Paleways, of thirteen pieces, argent and gules, a chief
azure. The escutcheon on the breast of the American bald eagle,
displayed proper, holding in his dexter talon an olive-branch, and
in his sinister a bundle of thirteen arrows, all proper, and in his
beak a scroll, inscribed with this motto: _E Pluribus Unum_.
"FOR THE CREST.--Over the head of the eagle, which appears above
the escutcheon, a glory, or, breaking through a cloud proper, and
surrounding thirteen stars forming a constellation, argent on an
azure field.
"REVERSE.--A pyramid unfinished. In the zenith, an eye in a
triangle, surrounded with a glory proper. Over the eye these words,
_Annuit Coeptis_. On the base of the pyramid, the numerical
letters, MDCCLXXVI., and underneath the following motto:
'_Novus ordo Seclorum._'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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