Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. I.djvu/157

THOMAS JEFFERSON 123 contriving, which still exists. Congress subjected this draught to a severe and prolonged revision, making many suppressions, additions, and altera tions, most of which were improvements. One passage was suppressed in which he gave ex pression to the wounded feelings of the American people in being so unworthily treated by brethren and fellow-citizens. The document was debated in congress on July 2, 3, and 4. Thursday, the 4th, was a warm day, and the members in the afternoon became weary and impatient with the long strain upon their nerves. Jefferson used to relate with much merriment that the final vote upon the Declaration was hastened by swarms of flies, which came from a neighboring stable, and added to the discomfort of the members. A few days after ward he was one of a committee to devise a seal for the new-born power. Among their suggestions (and this was the only one accepted by congress) was the best legend ever appropriated, E pluribus unum, a phrase that had served as a motto on the cover of the "Gentleman s Magazine" for many years. It was originally borrowed from a humor ous poem of Virgil s. Having thus linked his name imperishably with the birthday of the nation, Jefferson resigned his seat in congress, on the ground that the health of his wife and the condition of his household made his presence in Virginia indispensable. He had also