Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (Latin "By the sword she seeks peace under liberty") is a state motto of Massachusetts, adopted in 1775. It has not been specifically adopted as the motto of the state but has been accepted as an element of the arms and seal of the Commonwealth. Latin was the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... Here is a list of state mottos for the states of the United States. ... State nickname: Bay State Other U.S. States Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney (R) Official languages English Area 27,360 km² (44th)  - Land 20,317 km²  - Water 7,043 km² (25. ... 1775 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... // Definition and linguistics The original phrase common wealth or the common weal is a calque translation of the Latin term res publica (public matters), from which the word republic comes, which was itself used as a synonym for the greek politeia as well as for the republican (i. ...

For the first time it appeared on a state seal and meant that the colony no longer recognized the authority of the Royal Governor General Thomas Gage. The source is attributed to the letter written by a father of an English soldier and politician Algernon Sidney: "It is said that the University of Copenhagen brought their album unto you, desiring you to write something therein; and that you did scribere in albo these words: "Manus haec inimica tyrannis ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam". The last words were then written in Sidney's "Book of Mottoes", particularly favored by some in the American colonies. The State Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA, adopted by Governor John Hancock and the Council on December 13, 1780 and made official by the General Court on June 4, 1885, is circular and bears a representation of the arms of the Commonwealth encircled with the words, Sigillum Reipublicae... Engraving of Thomas Gage Sir Thomas Gage (1719 – April 2, 1787) was a British general and commander in chief of the North American forces from 1763 to 1775 during the early days of the American Revolution. ... Algernon Sydney (or Sidney) (~1622-1683) was an English politician, an opponent of King Charles II of England. ... University of Copenhagen The University of Copenhagen (Danish: Københavns Universitet) is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Copenhagen, Denmark. ...