Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God
The Great Seal of our Republic is the product of indecisiveness on the part of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and their committees. Many elaborate ideas for what would represent a newly independent people were deliberated, yet, a very simplistic Seal was adopted in June, 1782.
Today, our Republic is represented by the American Eagle, in one talon holding an olive tree branch, in the other, holding thirteen arrows, above his head thirteen white stars forming a constellation on a blue field, and in his beak a scroll inscribed with the motto E Pluribus Unum: Many in One. However, the pages of History do not credit Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, or Thomas Jefferson for its creation, but rather an Englishman by the name of Sir John Prestwitch; a dear friend to America and John Adams. It is peculiar to consider that the Arm of the American Republic was conceived by a Citizen of the Country with which we were then at war. Alas, we all know the Seal of our Republic as it is now, however, designs from the greatest minds of a generation have since been forgotten.
Benjamin Franklin proposed a Seal that consisted of Moses lifting his staff and dividing the Red Sea with a Pharaoh and his members overwhelmed with the waters.
John Adams proposed the hero Hercules standing mightily, and Virtue pointing to rugged mountains with one hand, and persuading him to ascend with the other.
Thomas Jefferson proposed the Children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. On the reverse, Saxon chiefs; from whom the origin of our political and governmental principles are credited.
The Seal of our Republic finds a home on the One Dollar Federal Bank Note, common in everyday life, but has been neglected of proper recognition by the American People in the 21st Century. The Reverse of our Seal is the most interesting: A Pyramid unfinished. In the Zenith, an eye, the latin words Annuit Cœptis- “God has favored the undertaking.” On the base of the pyramid Roman letters MDCCLXXVI; and motto Novus Ordo Seclorum- “A New Series of Ages.”
From everything that could have been, this Seal was birthed. However, a motto proposed by Benjamin Franklin was accepted by both Adams and Jefferson, but was never adopted for the official Seal, which in plain English stated: Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.
Beyond what our Seal has inscribed, it is of my belief that Benjamin Franklin proposed a motto which was the foundational thought for the cause of American Independence, which 248 years later, still lives in the Heart of the American Citizen.