Show U so S greif GreaTS seil eaI symbol of pa power W er it Is used only upon a warrant signed by the president early on the afternoon of july I 1 1778 1776 the continental congress mee meeting in philadelphia resolved itse itself f into a committee of ther the whole A momentous piece of legislation was before it a declaration that these united colonies are arc and of ought to be free and independent states after a time the president reported favorably on the measure A vote rote was taken and so it came about it a little before two the colonies officially declared their independence pen dence from the mother country dut but even then the congress did not cease its labors for the day meeting again after dinner it decided to take steps to complete the rhe evidence of the independence of the united states specifically it laid plans for the adoption of an official sign of sovereignty a national coat of arms a great seat seal on july 4 1770 the Conrin continental con trea itha dr fr frank a uk alln ur r J adams and mr jefferson abe be A committee to ro prepare a device for a seal of the united states of america the first dle die for the great seal was cut in 1782 this special sign glen of sovereignty of the american republic Is affixed to documents signed by the president these include commissions of all cabinet officers diplomatic and consular officers who are nominated by the president preside nt and conf confirmed limed by the senate all ceremonious communications from th tan t president to the heads of foreign governments all treaties conventions and formal agreements of the president with foreign powers all proclamations by the president all to foreign consular officers in III the united states who ars ard ar s appointed by the heads of the governments ern ments which they represent te ti warrants b by the president to receive persons surrendered by foreign governments ern ments under tinder extradition treaties and to all miscellaneous commissions of civil officers appointed by the president by and with the advice and consent of the senate whose appointments point ments are not now specially directed by the law to be signed under a different seal when the great seal la is attached i to a document m c ni it tie of the presidential i signature alg chief justice jus marshall in id 1803 the signa signature als nature tuie of the president Is I 1 a warrant for the great seal to the tee commission and the great seal Is only to be affixed to adf an instrument which Is complete comp lele it attests by an act supposed to be AV oi ot ati bile c no notoriety io biety the verity of OKI residential i 4 itis it la never to be affixed till the commission Is signed i because the signature which gives force and effect to the commission evidence that the appointment la iii made |