[17]. Preble’s History of the Flag, 259 et seq.
[18]. Journals of Congress (W. C. Ford, editor), 1907, VII, 59.
[19]. Austin’s Life of Elbridge Gerry, vol. 1, p. 336.
[20]. When the committee was appointed from which emanated in 1782 the seal finally accepted, a memorandum, endorsed “proceedings respectg. a seal of the United States Mr. Middleton Mr. Boudinot Mr. Lee,” was made by Lovell for the committee’s use, showing from the papers in the office of the Secretary of Congress what had already been done in the matter of the seal. After setting forth the action of 1776 it states that the Lovell committee was appointed March 25, 1779, and the report is given as follows:
“Original Report of May 10 1779
the Seal to be 4 inches Diametre On one Side The arms of the United States as follows The Shield charged on the Field with 13 diagonal Stripes alternate red & white—Supporters, dexter, a Warriour holding a Sword; Sinister a Figure representing Peace bearing an Olive Branch—The Crest a radiant Constellation of 13 Stars—The motto Bello vel Paci—The legend round the Atchievement Seal of the United States
“On the Reverse—The Figure of Liberty seated in a Chair holding the Staff & cap. The motto Semper—Underneath MDCCLXXVI”
The memorandum also says that on May 17 “The Report of the Comtee. on the Device of a great Seal was taken into Consideration and after Debate Ordered, That it be recommitted.”
Evidently an error was made in the dates by Lovell when he transcribed the memorandum. A committee appointed in 1779, if its report had been submitted May 10, 1779, and recommitted May 17, 1779, could hardly have made a second report May 10, 1780, to have it recommitted May 17, 1780. The MS. journal for March 25, 1780, says:
“Ordered, That the report of the committee on the device of a great Seal for the United States in Congress assembled, be referred to a committee of three: