Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-08

THE ORIGINAL STARS AND STRIPES. Some
interesting facts in regard to the first flag OF
the United States are given in Harpers Maya
zine for July:
1.-THE construction of the first National stand
ard of the United States, as adesign, from which
the Stars and Stripes was afterward adopted
took place under the personal direction of Gen
eral Washington, aided by committee OF Con-
gress authorized to design suitable flag for the
nation at Phladelphis, June, TIT.
'This took place at the residence OF Mrs
Ross, relative of Colonel Ross, in Arch street
between Second and Third, where General
Washington and the committee completed the
design and employed Mrs. Ross to execute the
work. The house is still standing Ono. 299) J
Mrs. Ross was afterward Mrs. Clsyroole;; der
maiden name was Griscom, and, according to
the fashion OF the times she was called Betsy
"Betsy Griscom had, before the Revolution,
acquired some knowledge of the 'upholder'
trade, as it was then called-an occupation sy-
nonymous with that Of the modern upholsterer
and at the time mentioned was carrying on
business on her own account in her little shop;;
One day, probably between the Bd OF Msy aud
the 7th of June III, during which period
Washington was in Philadelphia, there came to
her the commander-in-chief, the honorable
George Ross and other gentlemen, members OF
could make them flag according to design
which they would produce. She lntimated her
Willingness to try. The design was for flag OF
thirteen red and white stripes, alternate, with
union, blue in the field, spangled with thirteen
six-pointed stars. Mrs. Ross expressed her will
ingness to make the flag, but suggested that the
stars would be more Symmetrical and pleasing
to the eve if made with five points, ard she
sho wed them how such star could be made. by
folding sheet of paper and producing the pat
tern by d single cut. Her plan was approved,
and she at once proceeded to make the lag,
which was finished the next day. Mrs Ross was
given the position of manufacturer OF Tags Tor
the government, and for some years she was en-
gagged in that occupation The business de-
her daughter, Clarssa Claypoole who vounta-
rily relinquished it on becoming member OF
the Society of Friends, lest her handiwork
should be used in time of war"
THE SHAH OF PERsIA.-The English papers
are filed with all manner Of stories and gossip
about the Shah. For instance, We are told that
this bold Mahomedan had the audacity to curl
ously examine the necklace of an English lady
of high rank, and then to put his arm around
her waist; that be slapped the Empress of
Prussia on the shoulder and asked the imperial
Augusta to get out of his way. These little
outbursts of this free and easy gentleman natur-
ally excite the horror Of the upper thousand,
and there have been frequent consultations. we
are told, as to the most delicate mode of i'm
pressing him with the fact that he is in Lon
don, and not in Teheran. His failure to keep
his engagements is an offence that can be borne
with some degree of patience, but when it
comes to poking with his despotic fingers the
plump sides of young duchesses, civilized hu.
man flesh and blood cannot stand it. Wash
Republican.