246 TJie Correct Arms of the State of New York. 



what are the arms of New York, would be unable to answer with 

 tolerable correctness except that at least all, recalling " that banner 

 with a strange device," could probably say, I know that the Motto 

 is Excelsior." Enquiries are frequently made from other States at the 

 public offices for a correct copy of the Arms, and whatever answer is 

 sent, it is with doubt and hesitation. 



I am glad to be able to say, that I think that the information which 

 has been accumulated, from the date of the Centennial year of 1876, 

 makes it now possible to set forth the true Arms of the State in an 

 unquestionable form, and in their original beauty and force. 



The first and only device of Arms that was ever made for the State 

 was prepared by a committee, appointed by the New York Provincial 

 Congress in the year 1777. In the Journals of that body, we read the 

 following, under the date of April 15 : 



" On motion of Mr. Morris, resolved, that a committee be appointed 

 to prepare a proper device for a great seal for this State ; and that Mr. 

 Morris, Mr. Jay and Mr. Hobart be a committee for that purpose."* 



The Congress adjourned in less than one month thereafter; and of 

 what was done on this subject by the three distinguished members of 

 the committee, Lewis Morris, John Jay and John Sloss Hobart, nothing 

 is recorded in the journals of the Congress or the Convention, because 

 the disturbances of active war on the Hudson river, either prevented 

 protracted meetings or general business previous to the first meeting 

 of the legislature in 177S. The next mention of the State Arms is, 

 after the adoption of the Constitution of the State of New York of 

 1777, at this first session. In the first general law, the one for the 

 organization of the government, and passed March 16, 1778, it is 

 said that the device prepared by this committee was adopted. 



The language of the Statute of 1778 so far as relates to the Arms 

 and Seals is in these words : 



" And whereas arms have been devised for this State, and two several 

 seals have been devised and made, one of the said seals as and for the 

 great seal, and the other as and for the privy seal of this State, (and 

 which said seals are now in the custody and possession of his excel- 

 lency the present governor): 



" Be it therefore further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the 

 said arms and seals shall severally be and they are hereby respectively 

 declared to be the arms, the great seal and the privy seal of this State." 



A subsequent clause in the section declares that such matters as were 

 issued under the seal at arms of the governor of the colony shall issue 

 under the new seal ; and a clause in section five requires the person 



*Provincial Congress of N. Y., Journals, vol. I, p. 883. 



