Adams’s statement is corroborated by the notes preserved by Jefferson and now among his papers in the Library of Congress. Franklin’s note reads:
Moses standing on the Shore, and extending his Hand over the Sea, thereby causing the same to overwhelm Pharoah who is sitting in an open Chariot, a Crown on his Head and a Sword in his Hand. Rays from a Pillar of Fire in the Clouds reaching to Moses to express that he acts by Command of the Deity.
Motto, Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.
Jefferson’s note says:
Pharoah sitting in an open chariot, a crown on his head and a sword in his hand passing thro’ the divided waters of the Red Sea in pursuit of the Israelites: rays from a pillar of fire in the cloud, expressive of the divine presence and command, reaching to Moses who stands on the shore and, extending his hand over the sea, causes it to over whelm Pharoah.
Motto Rebellion to tyrants is obedce. to god.[[6]]
Adams’s own design was, as he says, that of the engraving by Gribelin, Paulo de Mathæis, artist, which appeared as frontispiece to the Earl of Shaftesbury’s Treatise VII, Vol. III, edition of 1773, on the Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, and Times.[[7]] It is a fine allegorical picture and Adams gives a good description of it in his letter, but it is wholly unsuited to a coat of arms. In this respect, however, the pictures suggested by Franklin and Jefferson were no better. In Du Simitière’s final design, which was the best of the four, the Goddess of Justice was substituted for the American rifleman as the sinister supporter, and Franklin’s suggestion was accepted for the reverse.
The committee reported August 20:[[8]]
The great Seal should on one side have the Arms of the United States of America which arms should be as follows: The Shield has six Quarters,[[9]] parti one, coupé two. The 1st. Or, a Rose enamelled gules & argent for England: the 2d. Argent, a Thistle proper for Scotland: the 3d. Verd, a Harp Or, for Ireland: the 4th. Azure a Flower de Luce Or for France: the 5th. Or the Imperial Eagle Sable for Germany: and the 6th. Or the Belgic Lion Gules for Holland, pointing out the Countries from which these States have been peopled. The Shield within a Border Gules entoire of thirteen Scutcheons Argent linked together by a Chain Or, each charged with initial Letters Sable as follows: 1st. N. H. 2d. M. B. 3d. R. I. 4th. C. 5th. N. Y. 6th. N. J. 7th. P. 8th. D. C.[[10]] 9th. M. 10th. V. 11th. N. C. 12th. S. C. 13th. G. for each of the thirteen independent States of America.
Supporters, dexter the Goddess Liberty in a corselet of armour alluding to the present Times, holding in her right Hand the Spear and Cap and with her left supporting the Shield of the States; sinister, the Goddess Justice bearing a Sword in her right hand, and in her left a Balance.