The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-05-24
Chr 8utland gaily Globs
THURSDAY, MAY "a, 1877.
THE FIRST AMERICAN FLAG IN BRITISH
WATERS.

THE FIRST AMERICAN FLAG IN BRITISH
WATERS.
In referring, some days ago, TO the cen
tennial anniversary of the first adoption of
q national flag by the United States, which
occurs three weeks from to-day-June IA
we briefly recalled the history of the flag
for hundred years. In connection with
this centennial anniversary it may not be
amiss to refer to the first appearance of the
American flag in Great Britain. In Wat
SON Annals, we find it stated that on the
fifth DAY of December, 1882, after listening
to the speech of the king formally recog-
nizing the independence of the United
States, Copley-the American artist and
father of Lord Lyndburst subsequently
lord chancellor of Great Britain-repaired
to his studio and attached to the portrait of
an American he was then painting, the stars
and stripes, Representing in the back
"ground ship bearing to America the in
"telligence of the acknowledgment of in
dependence with sun just rising upon
"the stripes of the union streaming from
" her gaff." The picture, it is proper to
state, was completed previous to the royal
speech from the throne, except the flag,
which, as Copley stated, he Ibid not esteem
cit prudent to hoist under present circum.
distances, as his gallery was constant
"resort of the royal family and the nobil.
"ity."
This was merely a representation of the
first unfured in British waters. We have
a letter from Peter Van Shack. det"d
I,.l- 20 49,. "u,Un ne states that
an American ambassador is soon to make
his entry into London, and that however
"unpalatable" it may be to many, yet the
great bulk of the nation will hail it with
Joy as 'the people at large love the Amer
leans, and he adds that one or two YES
sells with the thirteen stripes flying" are
now in the Thames, and the screws car
ressed." The Political Magazine, a PC
riodical then published in London, states in
reference to this same vessel, or vessels,
that the ship "Bedford," belonging to Mas
sachusetts, arrived in the Downs February
., passed Gravesend February 4, and was
reported at the custom house February 6.
but was not allowed regular entry until
after consultation con account of the many
acts of parliament in force against the
rebels in America" Then follows an &C
count of her cargo, the fact that she was
American built and manned by American
seamen, and closing with the statement
that she wears the rebel colors" and is
" the first vessel which displayed the thir-
" teen rebellious stripes of America in any
British port"
In summary of parliamentary debstes,
contained in the same Political Aagazine.
under date of February 7, 1888, under the
head of "the thilteea stripes in the river"
1t is narrated that Mr.. Hammond "begged
" leave to inform the house of a very re.
"cent and extraordinary event;" that
there was in the Thames an American
vessel with the thirteen stripes flying on
board; that the ship had offered to enter
at the custom house, but the officers
were all at lose how to behave; :" and
that he mentioned the subject in hopes
that the ministry would take such stems
and enter upon such negotiations as would
result in securing free intercourse between
the United States and Great Britain-but.
as the report states, "the ministers re-
manned silent"
Notwithstanding the ominous silence of
the ministry, negotiations were soon en-
tered upon which resulted in securing free
intercourse between the two countries-an
intercourse which, with one or two excep-
tions, has been uninterrupted from that day
to ihis-and we have seen, within the clos
ing years of that century, those same ere
"belious stripes welc omed at British ports
bearing food for starving iiish sublcct
and, to-day, the fame ''Tebtliious stripes"
are relied upon, not only to supply Great
Britain, but the whole of Europe, with
corn, wheat, flour and the other necessaries
OF life. Such has been the progress of the
century-and is not the centennial anniver-
sary OF the frat adoption of flag, as the
symbol OF nationality, worthy to be com
memorated as marking that progress?