Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-11-18
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG

The Albany Express gives the follow
ing interesting abstract of the history OF
our National Colors, from an exceedingly
interesting work by Captain SCHUYLER
Hamilton, {. S. A., recently published in
Philadelphia, and entitled " History OF
the American flag"
The first colorS spoken of in connection
with the American Revolution, were sig.
nificantly enough called q Union Flags. =
No account is given of the devices upon
them. They are frequently spoken of in
the newspapers Of l7114.
The Connecticut Troops fixed upon
their standards and their drums, in ITS,
the motto, "Qui Translutit," in letters
of gold literally" God who transplanted
us hither will support u.s." This was the
motto. Each Regiment was distinguish
ed by its colors, blue, orange, &C., &C.,
&c.
July Is, 1915, General Israel Putnam
glorious " Old Put, "-unfurled at
Cambridge, Massachusetts, cn the joyful
occasion of independence, a standard
bearing this motto on one side, "Qui
Translutit Sustinate. This flag was
flung in the breeze amid the roar of cam
non and the shout of the people. 1t was
SAID at that time, that the Philistines on
Bunker's Hill, heard the cheers of the
lsraeliteS Israel Putman) and being fear
full, paraded themselves in battle array.
The flag was red one-the signal of de-
fiance or battle, since the days of the
Romans
In September, l7715, Col. Moltrie un-
furled large blue flag, with crescent
in one corner. This was the first Ann
erican Flag displayed in South Carolina,
and was used at the taking of Fort john
son, on James's Island The crescent is
the emblem of Severe gnty.
Standard, with white ground, pine
tree in the middle, and the motto, "Ap-
peal to Heaven" was adopted in l7775, as
the Flag of the Floating Batteries.
On January I'd, l776-the day that
gave birth to the American Armv-the
flag designated as the Great Union STAN
dard, was hoisted. This was the basis
of the National Flag of the present day.
In ll16 was adopted the Standard to
be used by the Commander-in-C Chief of
the American Navy, * being a yellow
field, with lively representation of rat
tlesnake in the middle, in the attitude of
striking. ."-Underneath were the words,
''Don't tread on me-"
The same year the Cruisers of the Col
Ony of Massachusetts hoisted white
Flag, with green pine tree and the mot
to appeal to Heaven"
June l4th, 1777, Congress passed the
following resolution
"Resoired, That the Flag of the Thr-
teen United States be thirteen Stripes, al
ternate red and white; that the Union
5e thirteen Stars, white, in a blue field
representing new Constitution.
This was the origin of the national
Fag of the United States-the glorious
''Stars and Stripes" which has proudly
waved, since that day over many of the
greatest victories of modern times, that
stirs the blood of every true-hearted cit
izen whenever and wherever he beholds
it floating in the breeze that waves in
every part of the world, and that is ev-
erywhere respected on sea, and On land.
The above resolution was made public
September, Sd, Iii. According to Col.
Trumbull, the Flag made in pursuance of
it was first used at the surrender of Bur-
goyne, October 18th, of the same year.
This was glorious beginning truly, for
that was one Of the most important VIC
tories of the American arms during the
Revolution.
The first change in the National Colors
was directed in the following enactment
of fCongress, adopted January 18th, 1894 :
BE ii enacted, &c. That from and after
the first day of May, 1875, the Flag of
the United States be fifteen Stripes, alter
nate red and white. That the Union be
fifteen Stars, white, in blue field"
This was the flag of the United States
during the war Of lSl2-l4.
In l7lS, the Flag of the United States
was again altered. On the suggestion of
Hon. MIR. Wendoyer, of the State of New
York, return was made to thirteen
Stripes; as it was anticipated the Flag
would become unwieldly if stripe was
added on the admission of each State
and, moreover, by the plan proposed the
Union of the Old Thirteen States, as the
number of States comprising the existing
Union, would be represented by the Flag
Of the United States. Mr.. W. also pro-
posed the arrangement of the States in
the Union into the form of single Star.
The Resolution of 1918 was as follows:
ResOlred, That from and after the