The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-14

This gallant seaman whose deeds in defence OF his coun
try are familiar readers and to the country
thus handsomely noticed in the Nao"d inehyeneer of
the 4th Of July
.sTsr AMEaIoAs FLAe- Under the head Of Reminseen
ces of the Present Century, the National lneigencer in
September mentioned the fact that the hrst national
aag of the design adopted in 1915, made under
M direction of the gallant Capt Reid who commanded the
privateer General Armstrong. II WAS designed by Capt
Reid at his house. in New York. by his wife and
number of young ladies and first hosed the hall
House of Representatives on the 18Th !" April lsis
at z o'clock, p IN.
1--WE are glad to have it in power to-day to give to
our readers additional particulars which have never
before been published.
Previous to the adoption the present flag by Congress
the number stripes the old flag had been increased to
eighteen according the number of States admitted into
the Union thus destroying the beauty and perspcay of tho
flag while this order preserved in some Others
contained but nine stripes fancy dictated On the adm
sion of Indiana into Union in 1916, Mr. Peter H. Wen
dover of New York. offered resolution that committee
appointed inquire into the expediency OF altering the
flag of the States committee appointed who
reported bill I'd of January 1877, but It was not
acted upon While the committee had the matter under con-
sderation Mr. Wendover called Captain Reid, who
Washington the time and requested him to form de-
sign flag the increase OF the States
without its distinctive character, as the committee
the stars and stripes to the whole
number of States Captain Reid recommended that the
stripes reduced the original number Of thirteen States
and to form number of stars representing the whole
number of great star in the Union, addug
one star every State thus giving tho dgndesnt
meaning the flag symbolicay expressed, OF ~ par'-
bus This design of Captain Reds was adopt
ed in committee, but the bill did not pass until the
next Congress, in 1918. Captain Reid also recommend
ed the committee establish national standard, to be
composed of the four embemaca representations OF
be placed in the four quarters OF the nag fol-
lows the in the finland corner the eagle
the right with the Goddess OF Liberty under
the stars stripes under the eagles this standard to
be hosted over halls of Congress- and ships Of
war; other public places when visited by the
President and other dgntares He also desired to make
distinction between the flags by national vessels
those of the merchantmcn by simply arranging the
stars parallel lines the union for the naval service and
forming great star in the union for the merchant
service Captain Reid also proposed to adopt national
upon flag instead Of the black English cockade
which our officers wear but these designs did not
coed before the committee.
The following letter from Mr.. Wendover to Capt Reid,
after his New York. taken from the original which
have worthy Of preservation part OF the his
tory country and will be found highly interesting
ssWAsnrNeros, April Is, 1875
s'DEAn have just time to inform you that the new
flag Congress Hall arrived here per mail this day, and
hosted to replace tho old at two o'clock, and has
given much satisfaction to all that have IT, far -
have heard pleased with its form and proportions and
have doubt it will satisfy the public mind.
"Mr. Clay lwho then Speaker of the House, says
wrong that there should DO charge in your bill for
ing informed will procure it. DO not understand me d
intending to wound the feelings Of Mrs. Reid nor others
who may have given mid in the business and please pre-
my thanks to her and them and accept the same for
yourself.
PR. Ii. wENDOvER."