Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-29
NATIONAL. EI.AG

l.
expedlency of altering the Flag of the
United States
accompanied nth q bill to alter the Far NJ he
United States.
The committee appointed TO inquire into the
expectancy OF altering the flag of the United
States, beg leave TO report
That they have matuIely considered the
subject referred TO them, and have adopted
substantially. the report of the committee, to
whom was referred the same subject, al the
last session of congress, as forming part of
this report.
The committee are fully persuaded that the
form selected for the American flag, was truly
embiemati teal of our origin, and existence as
AN independent nation; and that as such, ii
having met - appreciation and received the
support of tue citizens of the Union, it ounnt
to undergo no change that would decrease its
conspIcuity, or tend to deprive il Gifts repre-
sentative character the committee however
believe that an increase in tie number OF the
states in the uion, since the hag was altered
10y law, sufficiently indicates the propriety OF
such change III the arrangement of the ilag
as shall best accord with the reasons that led
TO IT'S original adoption. and sufficiently point
to important periods of our national history
The original Gag of the United States was
composed of thirteen stripes, and thirteen
stars, and was adopted by a resolution Of the
continental congress on the l4th June, i!77.
On the 18th of January, 1875, after two new
states had been admitted into the union, the
r.
stripes and stars, should, on fixed day, be
increased 10 fifteen each, 10 comport with the
then number of independent states. The ac-
cesson OF new states since that alteration and
the certain prospect that at no distant period
the number of states will be considerably null
tpiIcd. render II, in the Op Mon OF the commit
tee, highly iBexpedieEt To increase the number
OF stripes, as every flag must in some measure
De limited III ITS size, from the ciTcumst lance of
convenience TO the place on which il is 10 be
displayed, while an increase would necessarily
decrease their magnitude and render them
pTopOrtonabiyl less distinct to distant observaii-
OIL. This consideration has induced many to re-
tam only the genera form of the flag, while there
actually exists great want of uniformity, in
ITS adjustment, particularly when used OH
small private vessels.
The national flag being in general use, by
vessels OF almost every description, il appears
to the committee of considerable importance
10 adopt some arrangement calculated to pre-
vent, IN future, great or expensive alterations
Under these Impressions they are led to be-
ileVe no alteration could be made more embie-
NAUTICAL OF our origin, and present existence az
composed OF u number of Independent and
United States, than TO reduce the stripes in
the flag 10 the original number of thirteen, 10
represent the number OF states then contend
ing for, and happily achieving their indeDen-
dence, and to increase the stars to correspond
with the nnmber of states now in the Union
and hereafter to add one star to the nag,
whenever II new state shall be fully admitted
These slight alterations will, in the opinion
OF tile committee. meet the general approba-
ton, as well OF those who may have regretted
former departure from fle original, and
such as are solicitous to see in it, representa-
ton of every state in the Union.
The sommIttec cannot believe that in re.
tanning only thirteen stripes, it necessarily
follows, they should be distinctly considered
IN reference To certain individual states i,,;,s-
much nearly all the new states were
component part OF, and Represented in, the
original states-and inasmuch, also, as the
flag is intended TO signify numbers, and not
local and particular sections Ofihe Union-nor
can the committee view the proposed inconsi-
derabie addition, to be made on the admission
of a new state, in the light of a departure from
that pefInanencS ofform which ought to cha.
racterise the flag of the nation.
Yesterday eveaing at half past o'clock died
aged Sc, at his house iR south 18th street, Pha-
delpha DIR. CASPAR WISTAR, many years
Physician of the first emiDeDce in the city Of
Philadelphia, aud professor of anal ~. g in the
University OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The loss OF this gentleman will be severely
felt ia this city, by all classes OF the cOmmuni-
ty. His great knowledge and attention as
physician, the kindness of his tones, the mild
ness of his manners, his careful attendance
upon the poor, who could not reward, equally
assiduouS AS upon the rich who cOnld will long
endear him to all who knew DIR. Wistar i'm this
most useful character.
As Professor of Anatomy, he has not been
equalled in this country, and he has been ex.
ceIled In no other. Perfect master not only Of
the minute of his profession, but of the most
eiiectna modes Of teaching it, his lectures
were always crowded. Those students who
were not compelled to attend for the sake Of a
degree, were induced TO attend for the sake Of
information. The skill aud care with which
his subjects we're prepared and brought for
ward-the simple, neat, iDtelligible stile Of his
ectures-the Kind and friendly character of
his voice and manncr-his anxiety To make his
students fully comprehend what they had to
learn-and his great success in these eudea-
yors, have long been admired, and will be long
remembered.
As a scientific man, il will be difficult to re.
place him IN scientific society here. His con
slant aim was to promote knowledge Of all
kinds, in all ways. Ills bause was the hOspita-
Die resort OF scientific strangers froul every