REBELLION TO TYRANTS IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD

Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 August 1776 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/

I am put upon a Committee to prepare . . . Devices for a Great Seal for the confederated States.

Dr. F[ranklin] proposes a Device for a Seal. Moses lifting up his Wand, and dividing the Red Sea, and Pharaoh, in his Chariot overwhelmed with the Waters. -- This Motto. Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.

Mr. Jefferson proposed. The Children of Israel in the Wilderness, led by a Cloud by day, and a Pillar of Fire by night, and on the other Side Hengist and Horsa, the Saxon Chiefs, from whom We claim the Honour of being descended and whose Political Principles and Form of Government We have assumed.

I proposed the Choice of Hercules, as engraved by Gribeline in some Editions of Lord Shaftsburys Works. The Hero resting on his Clubb. Virtue pointing to her rugged Mountain, on one Hand, and perswading him to ascend. Sloth, glancing at her flowery Paths of Pleasure, wantonly reclining on the Ground, displaying the Charms both of her Eloquence and Person, to seduce him into Vice. But this is too complicated a Group for a Seal or Medal, and it is not original.

None of these designs were accepted by Congress, although Jefferson's final design, a synthesis of these three suggestions, did include, on the obverse, Moses leading the Israelites from Egypt, Pharoah being overwhelmed by the waters and a heavenly radiance representing the blessings of G-d, along with the motto, "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God."

Posted by David Cohen at April 5, 2004 10:41 PM