The Escutcheon is composed of the chief & pale, the two most honorable
ordinaries. The pieces, paly, represent the Several States all joined
in one solid compact entire, supporting a Chief, which unites the
whole & 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 that Union & the strength resulting from it for its
support, to denote the Confederacy of the United States of America &
the preservation 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, hardiness & valour, and
Blue, the colour of the Chief signifies vigilance perseverance &
justice. The Olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace & war
which is exclusively vested in Congress. The Constellation denotes a
new State taking its 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 of America ought to
rely on their own Virtue.
Reverse. The pyramid signifies Strength and Duration: The Eye over it
& the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in
favour of the American cause. The date underneath is that of the
Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the
beginning of the new American Æra, which commences from that date.
[Illustration:
THE FIRST SEAL (1782)
]
[Illustration: