Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-01-29

was uses by the kheliph Omar: the two
sre enclosed in forty coverings of silk.
aud the whole enveloped in a sor, OF
sheath OF green cloth In the midst Of
these envelopes are deposited a small
copy OF the Koran. written, as is beliey-
ed, By the hand of o oar, the compan
ion and second successor of Mobammed.
and one silver key of The sanctuary of
The temple of Mecca the same thatwas
presented TO Selim l. by the Sheriff of
Mecca, in sigu of homage and subnis
sion. The sacred flag, thus enveloped
lsiselve feet long, asd is surmounted
by sort OF pommel of silver, square IN
form, which enclose anoiher copy of thu
Koran. written by the hand Of the
hhal'ph Osman, the secretary and third
successor Of Mohammed.
This standard, with its lance or staff.
is preserved in a gorgeous chapel in the
palace of the Ottoman Emperor. where
ars also preserved SEINE other relics of
Iohammed; such as two of his teeth
which an arrow struck.out of his mouth
at the battle Of Ohod, where he exclain-
ed, how can that people prosper who
have covered the face of the apostle Of
the Most High with blood. because he
invited them TO worship God alone Pr
words which reused bis followers to the
most furious enthusiasm; and also a
coarse cloak Of sort Of camblet, which
he wore when be entered Mecca and
purged it OF idols. and dedlca ted il anew
10 the worship of the God os A Abraham
and the prophets. This chapel 10 a "a.
vor,e place of worship with the Otto.
nan Emperors.
1t has been the CUSTOM till The re
cent Instruction of the Janissaries, til at
the standard sf Mohamned should never
be carried from the Seraglio, i. @. the
palace OF the Grand Seignior, except
when the Grand Vzier, or The Sultan
in person, heads the army of the Em
pire Then a superb tent 10 erected.
especially TO contain the sacred banner
Attached 10 lis lance, il is placed upon
a frame of ebony wood, adorned with
circles OF silver, into which the flag stafi
is passed. At the end Cf every cam
paign il is carried back to the chapel be
fore mentioned, is detached from its
lance, and deposited in a coaer most
richly ornamented When taken out
and when deposited, solemn ceremonies
are practsed; the Sultan and the Gran
dees of the Empire are present; pray
ers ate said, and perfumes Of the mosi
costly description are burnt with profu
sion.
In war, forty standard bearers are
especially appointed tn carry il reliev-
ing each other in succession. All the
possesssrs of military fefs. called gains
in She Empire, are obliged to defend i,
with their lives. All the cavalry Of the
armv must particularly attend to its pre-.
servation, and four regiments, called
she four regiments, in Turkish 'Beuluk
cath Erbea, "sre appointed for its guard
not to mention a crowd of Emrs, i. e
descendants of Mohammed, who always
accompany il as volunteers, and who
have frequently sacrificed themselves by
thousands in protecting it.
Such is a brief history and description
of the famous Banner of Mehammed
whose appearance only like that Of Vir.
gil's Neptune. can bush the waves of ar
ocean of insurrection, and from China
to ransier can invoke several hundred
millions of our fellow creatures to die
in It's defence.