A Bill for Providing a Great Seal for the Commonwealth (October 18, 1779)

[18 October 1779]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY that the Governor, with the advice of the Council, be empowered, and he is hereby required to provide, at the public Charge, a Great Seal for the Commonwealth, and to procure the same to be engraved, either in America or in Europe, with the same Device as was directed by the Resolution of the Convention in the Year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six; save only that the Motto on the Reverse be changed to the Word PERSEVERANDO.

And be it further enacted that the Seal which hath been already provided by Virtue of the said Resolution of Convention, be henceforward called the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth, and that the said lesser Seal be affixed to all Grants for Lands, and to all Commissions Civil and Military, signed by the Governor: Provided nevertheless, that all such Commissions heretofore signed and issued, without affixing the Seal, shall be good and valid.