Historical Sketches of the Paper Currency of the American Colonies; PT. D Ser. Continental Paper Money

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866. Excerpt: ... Another has the figure of a beaver gnawing a large tree, with this motto: Pertteverando--By perseverance. I apprehend the great tree may be intended to represent the enormous power Great Britain has assumed over us, and endeavors by force of arms to tax us at pleasure, and bind us in all cases whatsoever: or the exorbitant profits she makes by monopolizing our commerce. Then the beaver, which is known to be able, by assiduous and steady working, to fell large trees, to signify America, which by perseverance in her present measures, will probably reduce that power within proper bounds, and by establishing the most necessary manufactures among ourselves abolish the British monopoly. On another bill we have the plant acanthus, sprouting on all sides under a weight placed upon it, with the motto: Depressa Resurgit--Though oppressed, it rises. The ancients tell us that the sight of such an accidental circumstance gave the first hint to an architect in forming the beautiful capital of the Corinthian column. This perhaps was intended to encourage us by representing that our present oppressions will not destroy us, but that they may by increasing our industry and forcing it into new courses, increase the prosperity of our country, and establish the prosperity on the base of liberty and the well proportioned pillar of property, elevated for a pleasing spectacle to all connoisseurs who can take delight in the architecture of human happiness. The figures of a hand and flail, over sheaves of wheat, with the motto Tribulatio Ditut-- Threshing improves it (which we find printed on another of the bills) may perhaps be intended to admonish us that although at present we are under the flail, its blow how hard soever will be rather advantageous than hurtful to us, fo...