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William Ellery
Roger Sherman
Charles Caroll of Carrollton

John Adams
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Übridge Gerry

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Chit. Livingston
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SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, JULY 4, 1776,

WITH THE DATES OF THEIR BIRTH, DEATH, AND AGES RESPECTIVELY ANNEXED, ETC.,

denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own virtue.

THE above engraving represents the two sides of the great seal of the United States, adopt-and duration. ed by Congress. The following is its heraldic definition.

"ARMS.-Paleways of thirteen pieces, argent and gules, a chief azure; the escutcheon on the breast of the American bald 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 the triangle surrounded with a glory, proper. Over the eye these words, 'Annuit Captis.'

"On the base of the pyramid, the numerical letters, MDCCLXXVI, and underneath the following motto. Novus ordo seclorum.'

"REMARKS AND EXPLANATIONS OF THE DEVICE. -The escutcheon is composed of the chief and pale, the two most honorable ordinaries. The thirteen pieces paly represent the several states in the union, all joined in solid compact, entire, supporting a chief which unites the whole, and 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 and the strength resulting from it, for its support, to denote the confederacy of the United States, and the preservation of the Union through Con

ress.

"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 exclusively vested in Congress.

"The crest or constellation denotes a new state taking its place or rank among other sovereign powers.

"The escutcheon borne on the breast of an American eagle, without any other supporters, to

"The pyramid on the reverse signifies strength

"The eye over it, and the motto ('annuit cœptis,' he prospers our endeavors,') alludes to the many signal interpositions of Providence in favor 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 Era, which commences from that date.'

THE FATHER OF NANTUCKET.

WE have been favoured with a copy of manuscript history, of no doubtful authority, which states that Thomas Macy was the first white person that settled on the island of Nantucket, and which contains some amusing incidents in relation to his history. It the year 1665, King Philip, the sachem of Mount Hope, went to Nantucket with his retinue in pursuit of one of his tribe who was guilty of the enormous crime of sacrilege, inasmuch as he had taken the name of a deceased sachem in vain. The name of the criminal was Asassam, (John Gibbs,) and the impious act which he had committed had aroused the indignation of his whole tribe. Philip and his suite landed from their canoes, on the west end of the island, and travelled to the settlement on the east end, where the criminal had taken refuge. On his arrival there, the criminal fled to good old Thomas, (whom both whites and Indians loved and respected.) implored his protection, and was conceal ed. Philip demanded him, and became so warlike that an assembly of the white inhabitants took place, when a treaty was entered into by the parties, one condition of which was, that Philip should have all the money on the island, if he would reprieve the criminal. A collection took place, nineteen shillings were raised for Philip, and he returned to Mount Hope satisfied. Mr. Macy was equally happy in his whole system of government, and was highly esteemed from the fact that he was the first white inhabitant of the island. New Bedford Gazette.

PHENICIAN RELICK.-The Society of Antiquaries, in London, possess a cylindrical vessel of granite, decorated with a peculiar Grecian ornament on a hoop-like circle, which surrounds the exteriour. It was brought, many years ago, from the Moscheto shore of Central America, and is considered an additional proof that the shores of the western contiBent were peopled by the ancient Phenicians.

BIOGRAPHY.

lute, and commanding manner, he replied, that "it was well known, that, acting as governour of the province, he was by its charter, the commanderin-chief of his majesty's military and naval forces, and as such, the troops were subject to his orders; and if he had the power to remove one regiment, he had the power to remove both; and nothing short of this would satisfy the people, and it was at his peril, if the vote of the town was not immediately complied with; and if it be longer delayed, he, alone, must be answerable for the fatal consequences that would ensue." This produced SAMUEL ADAMS.-Born, 1722-Died, 1803. a momentary silence. It was now dark, and the people were waiting in anxious suspense for the SAMUEL ADAMS, whose name is truly dear to report of their committee. A conference in whispers all Americans, was born at Boston, September 22, followed between Lieutenant-Governour Hutchinson. 1722. His ancestors were among the early set- and Colonel Dalrymple. The former, finding himself tlers; his father was for many years, a representa- so closely pressed, and the fallacy and absurdity of tive in the Massachusetts house of assembly. In his arguments thus glaringly exposed, yielded up his 1740, Mr. Adams was graduated at Harvard, where positions, and gave his consent to the removal of he proposed the following question for discussion: both regiments; and Colonel Dalrymple pledged "Whether it be lawful to resist the supreme magis- his word of honour, that he would begin his prepatracy, if the commonwealth cannot otherwise be pre-rations in the morning, and that there should be no served?" He maintained the affirmative. He thus unnecessary delay, until the whole of both regiexhibited, at this early period, that inflexible love of ments were removed to the castle. liberty, which was afterward so important to his country. After leaving college, he embarked in mercantile life, but was unfortunate. He now entered into publick life, where he was uniformly distinguished for his opposition to every encroachment on the liberties of the people; and to him also, is ascribed the credit of originating the American Congress. In 1767, Mr. Adams suggested a non-importation agreement between the merchants, which was agreed to, and signed by all of them in the province. On the evening of the 5th of March, 1770, an affray took place between the military quartered at Boston, and some citizens, which resulted in a loss of lives on both sides. On the following morning, a publick meeting was called, and Samuel Adams addressed the Assembly with that impressive eloquence which was so peculiar to himself. The people, on this occasion, chose a committee to wait upon the lieutenant-governour, to require that the troops be immediately withdrawn from the town. The mission, however, proved unsuccessful, and another resolution was immediately adopted, that a new committee be chosen to wait a second time upon Governour Hutchinson, for the purpose of conveying the sense of the meet- Every method had been tried to induce Mr. Adams ing in a more peremptory manner. Mr. Adams acted as to abandon the cause of his country, which he had chairman. They waited on the lieutenant-governour, supported with so much zeal, courage and ability. and communicated this last vote of the town; and, Threats and caresses had proved equally unavailing in a speech of some length, Mr. Adams stated the Prior to this time, there is no certain proof that any danger of keeping the troops longer in the capital, direct attempt was made upon his virtue and integrity, fully proving the illegality of the act itself; and although a report had been publickly and freely cirenumerating the fatal consequences that would en- culated, that it had been unsuccessfully tried by sue, if he refused an immediate compliance with Governour Bernard. Hutchinson knew him too well the vote. Lieutenant-Governour Hutchinson, with to make the attempt. But Governour Gage was emhis usual prevarication, replied, and roundly assert-powered to try the experiment. He sent him a coned, that there was no illegality in the measure; fidential and verbal message by Colonel Fenton, who and repeated, that the troops were not subject to waited upon Mr. Adams, and after the customary his authority, but that he would direct the removal salutations, he stated the object of his visit. He of the twenty-ninth regiment. Mr. Adams again rose. said, that an adjustment of the disputes which exThe magnitude of the subject, and the manner in isted between England and the colonies, and a reconwhich it was treated by Lieutenant-Governour Hutch-ciliation, was very desirable, as well as important to inson, had now roused the imperious feelings of the interest of both. That he was authorized from his patriotick soul. With indignation strongly ex- Governour Gage to assure him, that he had been empressed in his countenance, and in a firm, reso-powered to confer upon him such benefits as would

At a very early period of the controversy between the mother-country and the colonies, Mr. Adams was impressed with the importance of establishing committees of correspondence. In 1766, he made some suggestions on this subject in a letter to a friend in South Carolina; but it was found to be either impracticable or inexpedient before the year 1772, when it was first adopted by Massachusetts, on a motion of Mr. Adams at a publick townmeeting in Boston. This plan was followed by all the provinces. Mr. Adams's private letters may have advanced this important work. In a letter to Richard Henry Lee, Esq., of Virginia, which, unfortunately, is without a date, is the following remark: "I would propose it for your consideration, whether the establishment of committees of correspondence, among the several towns in every colony, would not tend to promote the general union upon which the security of the whole depends." It will be remembered that the resolutions for the establishment of this institution in Virginia, were passed March 12, 1773, which was more than four months subscquently to the time it had been formed in Boston.