Georgia’s state seal, adopted in 1799, represents the state’s natural resources and dedication to justice and the US Constitution. The seal is the binding sign of official state documents, overseen by the secretary of state, and has been concealed twice to protect its authority. In 1868, Secretary of State Nathan Barrett hid the seal to refuse certification of an executive order by Union General Thomas Ruger. In 1947, Secretary of State Ben Fortson Jr. hid the seal during the Three Governors’ Controversy. The seal’s date was changed to 1776 in 1914 to reflect Georgia’s dedication to independence.
The history of Georgia’s state seal illustrates the state’s abundant natural resources, its dedication to fairness, wisdom, and the United States Constitution. The state seal of Georgia was adopted in 1799 and has changed very little. The original seal read “1799,” but the date was changed to “1776” in 1914. This change to 1776 more accurately reflects Georgia’s ardent dedication to the cause of independence and reliance on the Constitution for wisdom, moderation, and justice for everyone.
A state seal is more than a representation of the state’s history and patriotism. The seal is the binding sign of official state documents and acts, which the Georgian government takes very seriously. Under state law, the secretary of state is the administrator of the Georgia state seal. The secretary oversees the use of the seal and ensures that the seal maintains its authority as the official insignia of Georgian state affairs. Twice, the seal was concealed by a member of the Georgian government to protect the seal and its legal and binding authority.
In 1868, following the American Civil War and throughout the Reconstruction Era, Georgia was governed by an occupying, unelected military government led by Union General Thomas Ruger. General Ruger drafted an executive order and requested the Georgia state seal to authorize the act. Georgian Secretary of State Nathan Barrett refused to certify the order with the state seal and was removed from office for insubordination. Secretary Barrett confiscated the seal and hid it under his home until 1873, when Georgians regained control of their state government.
In 1947, Georgia’s state seal was again withheld during the Three Governors’ Controversy. Eugene Talmadge, newly elected governor of Georgia, died unexpectedly, sparking a power struggle for the position. The Georgia Legislature voted for Talmadge’s son, the new lieutenant governor believed he should fill the position, and the current governor refused to leave office. Secretary of State Ben Fortson Jr. confiscated the state seal and hid it until the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in favor of Lieutenant Governor Melvin Thompson.
The year “1776” on the seal illustrates Georgia’s contribution to American independence as the Declaration of Independence was signed that same year. The reverse side of the seal depicts the state motto “Agriculture and Commerce, 1776”. An American-flagged vessel receives a cargo of tobacco and cotton, representing the state’s abundant commercial exports. A farmer plowing the rich fields of Georgia among a flock of sheep represents bountiful agricultural enterprises.
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