Image: Great Seal du Simitiere proposal sketch

Description: Pierre Eugene du Simitiere's sketch of his proposal for the Great Seal of the United States during the first committee's proceedings in 1776. The committee chose a similar design for their official proposal, but it was not used. Six years later, the E Pluribus Unum motto was used on the final seal, and the Eye of Providence was an element on the reverse. This design is apparently the origin of both, as far as their usage by the U.S. Government. The seal depicts a shield with six regions, representing the "Countries from which these States have been peopled" (Rose for England, Thistle for Scotland, Harp for Ireland, Fleur-de-lis for France, Belgic Lion for the Netherlands -- then the Dutch Republic -- and an Imperial Eagle for Germany) surrounded by the initials of all thirteen states. The Goddess of Liberty is on the left (the shield's right, or dexter), and the Goddess of Justice is on the other side.

This is a tracing of the original drawing, probably from a 1902 Gaillard Hunt pamphlet on the Great Seal. The original is in the Thomas Jefferson papers.
Usage Terms: Public domain