The Nevada journal., 1861-04-26
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG.

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The first colors spoken of in connection
with the American Revolution, were signif
cantly enough called "Union Flags" No
account is given of the devices upon them.
They are frequently spoken of in the news
papers of l774.
The Connecticut troops fixed upon their
standards and their drums, in ITS, the
motto, "Qui Nau slatit, Sastini, in letters
of fgold-literally-"H He who transplanted
US hither will support u.s." This was the
motto. Each regiment was distinguished
by its colors-blue, orange, etc. On July
ls, l775, General Israel Putnam unfurled at
Cambridge, Massachusetts,, On the joyful
occasion of the reception in that town of
the Declaration of Independence, a standard
bearing this motto on one side, "An appeal
to Heaven" and on the other, " Qm Nausld-
ut Sustdnit." This flag was fang to the
breeze amid the roar of cannon and the
shouts of the people. 1t was said at that
time, the Philistines on Bunker Hill heard
the cheers of the Israclites (Israel Putnam)
and being fearful, paraded themselves in
battle array" This flag was red one, the
signal of defiance or battle since the days
of the Romans.
In September, l775, Colonel Moultrie un-
furled large blue flag, with a crescent in
one corner. This was the first American
flag displayed in South Carolina, and was
used at the taking of Fort Johnson, on
James Island The crescent is an emblem
of sovereignty.
A standard, with white ground, pine
tree in the middle, and the motto, appeal
to Heaven" was adopted in lT75, as the
Flag of the Floating Batteries.
On January ID, l776-the day that gave
birth to the new American Army-the flag
designed as The Great Union Standard" F."
was hoisted. This was the basis of the Ma
tional Flag of the present day
In 1875, was adopted the standard to be
used by the Commander-in-Chief of the
American Navy, " being yellow field with
a likely representation of rattlesnake in
the middle, in the attitude of striking
Underneath were the words, "Dont tread
on me-"
The same year, the cruisers of the Colony
of Massachusetts hoisted white flag, with
a green pine tree, and the motto, Appea
to heaven
June l4th, l777, Congress passed the fol-
lowing resolution
Resolred, That the Flag of the Thirteen
United States be thirteen stripes, alternate
red and white, that the Union be thirteen
stars, white, in a blue field, representing a
new Constitution.
This was the origin of the National Flag
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 strs the
blood of every true-hearted citizen whenev
er he beholds it floating in the breeze that
waves in every part of the world, and that
is everywhere honored and respected on sea
and shore.
The above resolution was made public
September Sd, 1777. According to Colonel
Trumbull. the flag made in pursuance Of it
was first used at the surrender Of Burgoyne,
October 18th, of the same year. This was
a glorious beginning, truly; for that was
one Of the most important victories of the
American arms during the Revolution. The
first change in the national colors was di
rected in the following enactment of Cong
ress, adopted January 18th, 1894:
Be IT ENACTED, ETC, That from and after
the lst day of May, l775, the Flag of the
United States be fifteen stripes, alternately
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 1918 the Flag of the United States was
again altered. On the suggestion of the
Hon. Mr.. Wendover, of the State of New
York, return was made to thirteen stripes,
as it was anticipated the Flag would become
suwieldly if a stripe was added on the ad-
mission of each State and moreover, by the
plan proposed-nemely, the addition of
star for each new State--the Union of the
old Thirteen States, as well as the number
of States comprising the existing Union,
would both be represented by the Flag Of
our United States. Mr.. Wcndover also pro-
posed the arrangement Of the stars in the
Union in the form of a single star. The
resolution of 1918 was ms follows;
Resolved, That from and after the Fourth
day Of July next, the flag Of the United
STATES be thirteen horizontal stripes, alter
nate red and white; that the Union be !
twenty stars, white, on blue field: and |
that, on the admission of new State into |
the Union one star be added to The Union |
of the flag and that such addition shall |
take effect on the Fourth day of July sue
ceeding such admission.
The Flag planted on the national palace |
in the city of Mexico, had thirty stars in the
Union. 1t is now deposited in the Depart
ment of State at philadelphia
Bulletin, abridged.
"DowS ON" NEwsPAPERs.-The city of
Messina, in Sicily, with population of 100 |