The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-07-12
NJ il ella n q OF -
THE STARS AND STRIPES.
Centenary Of Their Adoption as the
National Emblem.
l751.-June It.-Is7..


teen stripes being used upon au
American banner is in one present.
pd to the Philadelphia Light Horse
In l774-75, which is still retained
by the tfoops. General Washing
lon was familiar with this standard,
having seen it frequently while re-
ceiving the courteous attention of
the troop.
On Saturday, Juno IA, 1777, the
american Consress, in session at
Philadelphia,
Resolr.d, That the flag Of the
thirteen United States be thirteen
btripes, alternate red and white {;
hat the Union bo thirteen stars,
white, in the field, representing n
pew constellation.
This was the first and only legis-
alton for the establishment of na-
Eional flas for the sovereign United
States of America, declared Indo-
pendent July 4, 1776.
There was 40. official promulga.
lion OF this order, until September
B, by the Secretary of Congress, in
philadelphia, while at other placcs
in tho States it was not proclaimed
until month later, but tho resolu
lion on the subject had been print
ed in the papers Of Philadelphia,
New York and Boston. The delay
Pf deciding on a flag was source of
much chagrin to Washington and
he army generally. The fact that
i was not made public until two
months after its adoption shows
hat there was red tape in those as
veil as these days.
The Stars and Stripes arc credits
d TO the Dutch, or to have been bor-
owed from the designating stripes on
he coats OF Continental soldiers. by
ONE authorities it is stated that
9th stars and stripes were sugges-
pd by tho arms of Washington,
|hich, by q. singular coincidence,
bntain both. The resolution of
uno IA. lit, says nothing about
heir arrangement in the union. 1t
oes say, however, that they repre-.
ent not Lyra or any other known
heavenly cluster Of stars, but ne,o
onstellation.
It will never be clearly known
Tho designed our union OF stars.
1870, William j. Candy, of Phil
delphia, read before the Pennsyl-
ania Historical Society paper on
be history of the American flag, in
Fhich be stated that his maternal
|randmother, Mrs. John Ross, was
be first maker and partial designer
the Stars and Stripes. The house
Fhere tho flag was made is still
landing, No. 239 Arch street, be-
DIV Third.
The pattern from which Mrs.
loss (who was an upholsterer) made
be flag was drawn by Gen Wash-
pgton in June, 1776. The flag, as
hus designed, was adopted by Con-
ress June IA, 1777, and was tho
rst star spangled banner. for aught
hat IL known to tho contrary, which
yer Aoated on the breeze.
On the 14th OF Juno, l777, Con-
ross also "Iesoloe2, That Paul
ones be appointed to the command
I the Ranger" and soon after no
oisted the new flag on board that
essel at Portsmouth. To Jones was
iven the honor OF displaying the
ag for the first time ON board the
rst ship of tho line built for the
United States, ftly named The A.
serica. This ship, like the Ranger
bas built at Portsmouth, N 20 W
hampshire. Before she could bc
lunched, the Magnifque, ono Of the
(nest seventy-fodks Of the French
avy, was standing in the Boston
arbor, and to replace her the Amer-
ca was by o resolu'io OF Congress,
presented to our ally, tho French.
The first military incident con-
ected with tho Stars aud Stripes
occurred on the 81, Of August, l778,
Then Lieutenants Burd and Brant
Invested Fort StanwiSupr Schuyler,
ben commanded by Col Petor Gan.
svort. The garrison had no flag,
ut their Ingenuity soon sapplied
be emblem ad,ording 10 the pat
pga adopted Yy Congress. Shirts