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Dr. Austin Harrington Max-Weber-Kolleg Für Kultur- Und Sozialwissenschaftliche Studien University of Erfurt, Germany 1945: a New Order of Centuries 79
78 SOCIOLOGISK ForsKNING 2008 Dr. Austin Harrington Max-Weber-Kolleg für kultur- und sozialwissenschaftliche Studien University of Erfurt, Germany 1945: A NEW ORDER OF CENturIES 79 Austin Harrington 1945: A New Order of Centuries? Hannah Arendt and Hermann Broch’s “The Death of Virgil” In On Revolution (1963) Hannah Arendt heads one of her chapters with the three La- tin words inscribed on the Great Seal of the United States of America: novus ordo se- clorum, modified from magnus ab integro saeclorum nascitur ordo in line 5 of Virgil’s fourth Eclogue.1 The men of the American revolution, Arendt famously argued, suc- ceeded in founding the political community in a sovereign act of inaugural legislation that instituted a “new order of the centuries” between the “no-longer” of old Euro- pean political and religious precedent and the “not-yet” of salvation on earth for all. In contrast to the French revolution, which failed to distinguish political power from a pre-political natural violence of the multitude, the American statesmen discerned that a revolution carried its authority neither from belief in an immortal legislator nor from the promises of a future state of reward but rather from a pure act of the foun- ding and constituting of freedom itself. The Founding Fathers in this sense “solved the problem of the beginning, of an unconnected, new event breaking into the con- tinuous sequence of historical time”. In altering Virgil’s “the great cycle of periods is born anew” to the “new order of the ages”, the American revolutionaries felt -
Minting America: Coinage and the Contestation of American Identity, 1775-1800
ABSTRACT MINTING AMERICA: COINAGE AND THE CONTESTATION OF AMERICAN IDENTITY, 1775-1800 by James Patrick Ambuske “Minting America” investigates the ideological and culture links between American identity and national coinage in the wake of the American Revolution. In the Confederation period and in the Early Republic, Americans contested the creation of a national mint to produce coins. The catastrophic failure of the paper money issued by the Continental Congress during the War for Independence inspired an ideological debate in which Americans considered the broader implications of a national coinage. More than a means to conduct commerce, many citizens of the new nation saw coins as tangible representations of sovereignty and as a mechanism to convey the principles of the Revolution to future generations. They contested the physical symbolism as well as the rhetorical iconology of these early national coins. Debating the stories that coinage told helped Americans in this period shape the contours of a national identity. MINTING AMERICA: COINAGE AND THE CONTESTATION OF AMERICAN IDENTITY, 1775-1800 A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Miami University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of History by James Patrick Ambuske Miami University Oxford, Ohio 2006 Advisor______________________ Andrew Cayton Reader_______________________ Carla Pestana Reader_______________________ Daniel Cobb Table of Contents Introduction: Coining Stories………………………………………....1 Chapter 1: “Ever to turn brown paper -
Francis Hopkinson, a Pretty Story Written in the Year of Our Lord 2774
MAKING THE REVOLUTION: AMERICA, 1763-1791 PRIMARY SOURCE COLLECTION An allegory of the causes of the American Revolution Maryland Historical Society A PRETTY STORY WRITTEN IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2774 by PETER GRIEVOUS, ESQUIRE [Francis Hopkinson] Williamsburg, Virginia, 1774 ___ EXCERPTS * A lawyer, statesman, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a widely read political satirist, Francis Hopkinson penned this acerbic yet witty fable Francis Hopkinson depicting the road to revolution in the American colonies. self-portrait after 1785 portrait by Robert Edge Pine C H A P T E R I . * nce upon a time, a great while ago, there lived a certain Nobleman who had long possessed a very valuable farm and had a great number of children and grandchildren. Besides the annual O profits of his land, which were very considerable, he kept a large shop of goods; and, being very successful in trade, he became, in process of time, exceeding rich and powerful, insomuch that all his neighbors feared and respected him. With respect to the management of his family, it was thought he had adopted the most perfect mode that could be devised, for he had been at the pains to examine the economy of all his neighbors and had selected from their plans all such parts as appeared to be equitable and beneficial, and omitted those which from experience were found to be inconvenient; or rather, by blending their several constitutions together, he had so ingeniously counterbalanced the evils of one mode of government with the benefits of another that the advantages were richly enjoyed and the inconveniencies scarcely felt. -
CONFEDERATION CONGRESS CALLS the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 21 February 17871
C. CONFEDERATION CONGRESS CALLS THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 21 February 17871 Congress assembled as before. The report of a grand committee2 consisting of Mr. [Nathan] Dane, Mr. [James M.] Varnum, Mr. S[tephen] M[ix] Mitchell, Mr. [Melancton] Smith, Mr. [Lambert] Cadwallader, Mr. [William] Irwine, Mr. N[athaniel] Mitchell, Mr. [Uriah] Forrest, Mr. [William] Grayson, Mr. [William] Blount, Mr. [John] Bull, and Mr. [William] Few to whom was referred a letter of 14 September 1786 from J[ohn] Dickinson written at the request of commissioners from the states of Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York assembled at the city of Annapolis together with a copy of the report of the said commissioners to the legislatures of the states by whom they were appointed, being an order of the day was called up and which is contained in the following resolution, viz: “Congress having had under consideration the letter of John Dickinson, Esquire, chairman of the commissioners who assembled at Annapolis during the last year, also the proceedings of the said commissioners and entirely coinciding with them as to the inefficiency of the federal government and the necessity of devising such farther provisions as shall render the same adequate to the exigencies of the Union do strongly recommend to the different legislatures to send forward delegates to meet the proposed convention on the second Monday in May next at the city of Philadelphia.” The delegates for the state of New York thereupon laid before Congress instructions3 which they had -
The United States and the Articles of Confederation: Drifting Toward Anarchy Or Inching Toward Commonwealth?*
The United States and the Articles of Confederation: Drifting Toward Anarchy or Inching Toward Commonwealth?* On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee proposed to the Second Con- tinental Congress "[t]hat these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States," and "[t]hat a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their con- sideration and approbation."' Lee's resolution reflected the linkage between independence and confederation in the public mind.2 The result was the Articles of Confederation, drafted in 1776-1777 and fi- nally ratified on March 1, 1781, which remained in effect until 1789 and represented the first American experiment with a written na- tional charter.3 The conventional view of this period is that it was dominated by deep factional conflict concerning the amount of power that should be vested in the national government. 4 The text of the Articles, ac- cording to this view, represented a victory for the group favoring minimal national authority, 5 and as a result the Articles government * The author acknowledges with gratitude the assistancc of Professor William E. Nelson of the Yale Law School in providing critical guidance and granting permission to make use of unpublished research materials. 1. 5 JOURNALS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 425 (W. Ford ed. 1906) [hereinafter cited without cross-reference as JOURNALS]. 2. See NEw JERSEY IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1763-1783: A DOCUMENT.ARY HISTORY 402 (L. Gerlach ed. 1975) (issues of independence and confederation were inseparable) [hereinafter cited as DOCUIENTARY HISTORY]; cf. Jensen, The Articles of Confederation, in FUNDAMENTAL TESTAMENTS OF TilE AMERICAN RLvoI.UTIoN 62 (Library of Congress Sym- posium on the American Revolution 1973) (politicians who opposed confederation did so because they saw it as step toward independence) [hereinafter cited as Jensen, TESTA ENTS]. -
1 the Story of the Faulkner Murals by Lester S. Gorelic, Ph.D. the Story Of
The Story of the Faulkner Murals By Lester S. Gorelic, Ph.D. The story of the Faulkner murals in the Rotunda begins on October 23, 1933. On this date, the chief architect of the National Archives, John Russell Pope, recommended the approval of a two- year competing United States Government contract to hire a noted American muralist, Barry Faulkner, to paint a mural for the Exhibit Hall in the planned National Archives Building.1 The recommendation initiated a three-year project that produced two murals, now viewed and admired by more than a million people annually who make the pilgrimage to the National Archives in Washington, DC, to view two of the Charters of Freedom documents they commemorate: the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. The two-year contract provided $36,000 in costs plus $6,000 for incidental expenses.* The contract ended one year before the projected date for completion of the Archives Building’s construction, providing Faulkner with an additional year to complete the project. The contract’s only guidance of an artistic nature specified that “The work shall be in character with and appropriate to the particular design of this building.” Pope served as the contract supervisor. Louis Simon, the supervising architect for the Treasury Department, was brought in as the government representative. All work on the murals needed approval by both architects. Also, The United States Commission of Fine Arts served in an advisory capacity to the project and provided input critical to the final composition. The contract team had expertise in art, architecture, painting, and sculpture. -
Attendees at George Washington's Resignation of His Commission Old Senate Chamber, Maryland State House, December 23
Attendees at George Washington’s Resignation of his Commission Old Senate Chamber, Maryland State House, December 23, 1783 Compiled by the Maryland State Archives, February 2009 Known attendees: George Washington Thomas Mifflin, President of the Congress Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Congress Other known attendees: Members of the Governor and Council of Maryland. Specific members are not identified; full membership listed below Members of the government of the City of Annapolis. Specific members are not identified; full membership listed below Henry Harford, former Proprietor of Maryland Sir Robert Eden, former governor Those who attended who wrote about the ceremony in some detail: Dr. James McHenry, Congressman and former aide to Washington Mollie Ridout Dr. James Tilton, Congressman There was a “gallery full of ladies” (per Mollie Ridout), most of whom are unknown Members of the Maryland General Assembly The General Assembly was in Session on December 23, and both houses convened in the State House on December 22 and on December 23. It is difficult to identify specific individuals who were in the Senate Chamber GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 1783 William Paca, governor November 3-December 26, 1783 SENATE WESTERN James McHenry EASTERN Edward Lloyd SHORE SHORE George Plater Daniel Carroll, Matthew John Cadwalader (E, president ' Tilghman Dcl) Thomas Stone Richard Barnes ' (DNS, R) Robert Goldsborough (DNS) (E, Charles Carroll of Benedict Edward Hall John Henry DNS) Carrollton, Samuel Hughes William Hindman William Perry (E) president ' John Smith Josiah Polk (DNS) HOUSE OF DELEGATES ST MARY'S John Dent, of John CECIL Nathan Hammond William Somerville BALTIMORE Archibald Job Thomas Ogle John DeButts Thomas Cockey Deye, Samuel Miller HARFORD Edmund Plowden speaker William Rowland Benjamin Bradford Norris Philip Key Charles Ridgely, of Benjamin Brevard John Love William KENT John Stevenson ANNAPOLIS John Taylor (DNS) Peregrine Lethrbury Charles Ridgely Allen Quynn Ignatius Wheeler, Jr. -
If You Seek Better Health Through Nutrition, and You Appreciate Cutting-Edge Have to Wait for Weeks to Was a Body Known As Congress
The sole governing authority presiding over the tumultuous John Locke and the events of the American Revolution between 1774 and 1789 Continental If you seek better health through nutrition, and you appreciate cutting-edge have to wait for weeks to was a body known as Congress. With no power to regulate philosophers. What culinary artistry, microgreens are the perfect addition to your kitchen. get an edible result. commerce or lay taxes, and with little ability to enforce any Jefferson did was to Microgreens are tiny, young leafy vegetables grown from seeds and harvested Because they are small and of its decisions, this group, representing the thirteen summarize this when they are only one to two inches tall. They’re not just cute and delicious; harvested in an immature colonies, declared independence, conducted a war that philosophy in “self- they also contain higher levels of essential nutrients than their full-grown state, you can easily grow them indoors. defeated one of the greatest military powers of its day, and evident truths” and set counterparts. Popular microgreen varieties include lettuce, radish, Chinese No Space? No Problem! invented a new political entity that became a sovereign forth a list of cabbage, spinach, mustard, kohlrabi, kale, beet, chard and various herbs. If you live in an apartment home with little or no outdoor space, growing independent nation. Its members pondered everything from grievances against the How to Use Your Microgreens microgreens indoors could become a fun, healthy and cost-effective hobby. All the rightness of independence to the number of flints King of Great Britain in Microgreens are perfect additions to healthy gourmet salads, but there are you need to get started are a few shallow containers, a sunny window or a needed by the armies–sometimes with the enemy not far order to justify before many other ways to use them. -
Quarter and Half Dollar Coins: History and Proposed Designs
December 19, 2019 Quarter and Half Dollar Coins: History and Proposed Designs The Secretary of the Treasury, through the U.S. Mint, is Figure 2. Bicentennial Quarter and Half Dollar, 1976 statutorily required to issue specific denominations of circulating coins (31 U.S.C. §5112). Currently, the United States has six circulating coins—dollar, half dollar, quarter dollar, dime, nickel, and penny. All coinage is also required to have certain design elements, including specific words such as “Liberty,” or “E Pluribus Unum.” The quarter dollar has been redesigned twice in recent years (1997 and 2008), while the half dollar was last redesigned in 1964. Quarter Dollar Designs The first quarters were issued in 1796 and depicted Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. Since then, the quarter dollar has been redesigned four times: in 1932 to place President Washington on the obverse, in 1976 for the Bicentennial of the United States, in 1997 when the 50-state quarter program was authorized, and in 2008 when the America the Beautiful program was authorized. Washington Quarter In March 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a law (46 Stat. 1523) to change the design of the quarter dollar coin to commemorate “the two hundredth anniversary of the birth Source: U.S. Mint, “1976 Bicentennial Coins,” at of George Washington.” The law required a portrait of https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids/library/bicentennial-coins. George Washington on the obverse and “appropriate devices on the reverse….” The finished coin (as seen in 50 State Quarters Figure 1) had a “standard eagle” design on the reverse. -
Ulster-Scots and the Declaration of Independence
Ulster-Scots and the Declaration of Independence US and Dec of Ind BK4 AW.indd 1 17/12/09 12:16:20 Ulster-Scots and the Declaration of Independence Ulster-Scots and the Declaration of Independence The influence of Ulster-Scots Presbyterians was heavily stamped on the American Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776 and in the unfolding events which led to the establishment of the United States as a nation. The historic Declaration contained sentiments closely identified with the aspirations of the Presbyterian immigrant stock from the north of Ireland who settled in the American colonies during the 18th century. A significant assertion was: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. The 56 men from the 13 colonies who signed the Declaration were almost entirely of British family origin. Thirty eight were firmly established as being of English extraction, eight Irish (at least five of whom had direct Ulster family connections), five Welsh, four pure Scottish and one Swedish. One account from Ulster writer the Rev W. F. Marshall records the far-seeing contribution of the Scots- Irish (Ulster-Scots) in the struggle for American independence, with General George Washington reportedly stating: “If defeated everywhere else I will make my last stand for liberty among the Scotch-Irish of my native Virginia”. British Prime Minister at the time Horace Walpole was less flattering, with a jibe to King George 111 and the British Cabinet: “Cousin America has run off with a Presbyterian parson . -
United States Mint Announces Designs for Commemorative Coin Honoring Disabled American Veterans
United States Mint Announces Designs for Commemorative Coin Honoring Disabled American Veterans August 22, 2009 WASHINGTON, Aug 22, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The United States Mint today announced the designs for the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Convention in Denver. United States Mint Director Ed Moy unveiled the designs. Under the American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 110-277), the agency will mint and issue commemorative coins in honor of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The coin’s designs, approved by Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner on July 30, 2009, are emblematic of the service of our disabled veterans who made enormous personal sacrifices defending the principles of our democracy. The obverse (heads side) design depicts the legs and boots of three disabled veterans. The inscription in the banner along the coin’s upper rim, THEY STOOD UP FOR US, pays tribute to the courageous disabled veterans who fought to preserve our freedom. Additional inscriptions on the obverse are IN GOD WE TRUST, 2010 and LIBERTY. The reverse (tails) design depicts a forget-me-not flower at the base of a wreath wrapped in a ribbon that cradles and supports clusters of oak branches. The oak branches represent strength, while the forget-me-not is a widely accepted symbol of remembrance for those who sacrificed their blood and their health for our country’s cause. The inscriptions are Take This Moment to Honor Our Disabled Defenders of Freedom, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE DOLLAR. -
Resources for Teachers John Trumbull's Declaration Of
Resources for Teachers John Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence CONVERSATION STARTERS • What is happening with the Declaration of Independence in this painting? o The Committee of Five is presenting their draft to the President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock. • Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson apparently told John Trumbull that, if portraits couldn’t be painted from life or copied from other portraits, it would be better to leave delegates out of the scene than to poorly represent them. Do you agree? o Trumbull captured 37 portraits from life (which means that he met and painted the person). When he started sketching with Jefferson in 1786, 12 signers of the Declaration had already died. By the time he finished in 1818, only 5 signers were still living. • If you were President James Madison, and you wanted four monumental paintings depicting major moments in the American Revolution, which moments would you choose? o Madison and Trumbull chose the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, the Declaration of Independence, and the resignation of Washington. VISUAL SOURCES John Trumbull, Declaration of Independence (large scale), 1819, United States Capitol https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Declaration_of_Independence_(1819),_by_John_Trumbull.jpg John Trumbull, Declaration of Independence (small scale), 1786-1820, Trumbull Collection, Yale University Art Gallery https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/69 John Trumbull and Thomas Jefferson, “First Idea of Declaration of Independence, Paris, Sept. 1786,” 1786, Gift of Mr. Ernest A. Bigelow, Yale University Art Gallery https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/2805 PRIMARY SOURCES Autobiography, Reminiscences and Letters of John Trumbull, from 1756 to 1841 https://archive.org/details/autobiographyre00trumgoog p.