f 



The Correct Arms of the State of Neiu York\ 249 



which is drawn up in heraldic hmgiiage, but is none the less defective 

 if regarded as a complete description of the Arms. I quote it in a 

 note as being of record in the secretary's office. * 



From all tliese extracts from the laws which I have read, and they 

 embrace all the laws relative to the subject that I have discovered, it 

 does not appear that the first device of Arms adopted by the State has 

 ever been changed by statute. Xor in the journals of the legislature, 

 from the time of the adoption of the Arms to the present time, is there 

 any evidence of an attempt to change them by legislation. These 

 laws, authorizing changes in the seals of the public offices, do not en- 

 tail as a consequence, or even suggest, any change in the State Arms. 



The Arms of a people, containing symbols and emblems, adopted 

 under the influence of and exemplifying the ideas and principles of an 

 especial crisis, are of too serious moment to be subject to be changed 

 in accordance with the peculiar fancies of individuals in each succes- 

 sive decade of years. And if changed at all after some new grand 

 crisis, the change should not be made regardless of the prevalent laws 

 of the science of heraldry. Thus it is almost without example in ac- 

 cordance with its laws, that one or both of the two supporters of the 

 escutcheon should be in a sitting posture, as they may be found on 

 some of the seals of the State, and in pictures alleged or supposed to 

 represent the State Arms. The word ^•incumbent" or "recumbent," 

 applied to the seal of 1S09 in the Xew York Civil List is used to con- 

 tradistinguish the modern seal from the pendent seal of earlier days, 

 and not to the supporters as lying or sitting. The name of support- 

 ers, given herald icaliy to the figures by the sides of a shield, implies 

 that they should be standing. Additions may more appropriately be 

 made to a shield than changes may be made in it : as in the case of 

 annexation of, or of union with a new State. 



I must add that no printed description of the Arms of this State, 

 as devised and adopted in 1778, has been found to my knowledge in 



* Copy of the memoraudum of 1809 in tlie secretary of State's office : 

 " Description of the new great seal of the State of Xew York, procured in pur- 

 suance of the act entitled ' An Act relative to the office of secretary of this State, 

 authorizing the making of a new great seiil and to amend the act entitled an act 

 concerning oaths.'" Passed March 27, 1809. 

 Argent. A rising sun proper. 



Crest. On a wreath a demi globe and an eagle passant regardant all proper. 

 Supporters. The figure of justice on the dexter, and liberty on the sinister 

 side. 



Motto. Excelsior. 



Legend. The great seal of the State of New York. 

 32 



