The description of the arms by Du Simitière is among the Jefferson Papers in the Library of Congress, and shows a design identical with that approved by the committee, except as to the supporters, Du Simitière’s description being: Supporters, dexter, the Goddess Liberty, in a corslet of armour, (alluding to the present times) holding in her right hand the Spear and Cap, resting with her left on an anchor, emblem of Hope. Senester, an american Soldier, compleatly accoutred in his hunting shirt and trousers, with his tomahawk, powder horn, pouch &c. holding with his left hand his rifle gun rested, and the Shield of the States with his right. [Illustration: Reverse [Drawing by Benson J. Lossing from the description] ] [Illustration: Obverse [The pencil sketch by Du Simitière, found in the Jefferson Papers] THE FIRST DESIGN Face p. 12 ] A note following the report says: “The figure of Liberty standing on a Column, on which are the emblems of commerce, agriculture and arms.” Two features alone of the designs of this committee were preserved in the final seal, the eye of Providence, which figured in the final reverse, and the motto “E pluribus unum,” which appeared in the final obverse. The eye was an adoption of a very ancient symbol of the overseeing God. It was probably suggested by Du Simitière himself, since Adams does not mention it as having been proposed by any member of the committee. The motto formed a part of Du Simitière’s design, but has been generally attributed to Jefferson.[12] Adams’s letter shows nothing to suggest the possibility that he himself chose the motto; on the contrary, his mind was full of a moral rather than a political allegory for the arms. Jefferson’s mind had, on the other hand, already been engaged on the subject of a suitable device for a seal to express the idea of weakness in separation of the States and power in their combination. In 1774 he made this note in his almanac: A proper device (instead of arms) for the American states united would be the Father presenting the bundle of rods to his sons. The motto “Insuperabiles si inseperabiles” an answer given in parl[iament] to the H[ouse] of Lds, & comm[ons].[13] Jefferson’s preference for a “device” rather than a coat of arms was due to the fact that he thought more allegorical meaning could be obtained by using the former. The idea he wished to convey was from one of Æsop’s fables. A father called his family of discordant sons about him, and taking a bundle of rods bound compactly together bade each one try to break it, which none could do. He then gave each one a single rod from the bundle and they were broken easily. The motto “E pluribus unum”[14] was in familiar use in the United States and naturally suggested itself as a fitting description of the union of the States depicted in Du Simitière’s design.