azure field.

In the exergue of the great seal, "Jul. IV. MDCCLXXVI."

In the margin of the same, "Sigil Mag. Repub. Confed. Americ."

Mr. Barton proposed also a second device, which needs no notice, as it
did not meet with approval.

On the same day, the committee of Congress, then composed of Messrs.
Middleton (S. C), Boudinot (Penn.), and Rutledge (S. C), reported a
modification of Mr. Barton's device. The reports of the several
committees were then referred to the Secretary of Congress, and on June
20, 1782, the Secretary reported the following device for an armorial
achievement and reverse of the great seal of the United States, which
was formally adopted:

Arms. Paleways of thirteen pieces, argent and gules, a chief, azure;
the escutcheon on the breast of the American 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_.

The interpretation of these devices is as follows: The escutcheon is
composed of the chief and pale, the two most honorable ordinaries.
The pieces pale represent the several States, all joined in one
solid, compact, and entire, supporting a chief which unites the
whole and represents Congress. The pales in the arms are kept
closely united by the chief, and the chief depends on that union and
the strength resulting from it, for its support, to denote the
confederacy of the United States of America, and the preservation of
their union through Congress.

The colors of the pales are those used in the flag of the United
States of America; white signifies purity and innocence; red,
hardiness and valor; and blue, the color of the chief, signifies
vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

The olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace and war, which
is exc