The times., 1900-12-30

Mr.. Candy contends that the stars and
stripes were in common IL not general
use soon after the Declaration OF Inde-
pendence, nearly a year before the reso-
luton of Congress proclaiming them the
flag Of the United States of America. He
finds evidence Of this In the fact that
regiments were allowed compensation for
altering their colors after July a. 1176
and that Indian tribes during that year
petitioned Congress for flag OF the Unit
ed States. He also cites as evidence the
statements of Miss Montgomery that her
father, Captain Hugh Montgomery early
in July. 1776, hoisted the Stars and
Stripes. Her statement is that Robert
Morris, in the winter Of 1I75, chartered
the brig Nancy, commanded by her father,
who was one of the owners of the brig.
In March. 1916, this ship sailed for Porto
Rico under English colors, thence to the
other West India islands. and finally to
st. Thomas where, when the cargo was
nearly completed, Information was re-
ceiyed that independence was declared,
with description OF the colors adopted.
This was cheering intelligence to the
captain, and would relieve him of acting
clandestinely. Now they could show their
true colors. The material was at once
procured, and a young man on board set
to work privately to make them" He
was we'll known in after years as Capt.
Thomas Mendenhall. The number OF
men was increased, the brig armed for
defence, and all things put in order. The
day they sailed, the captain invited the
Governor and his suite. with twenty 9TH
er gentlemen, OF board to dine. A sumpt-
uous dinner wascooked; and sea turtle
being prepared, gave it the usual name of
turtle feast. The account of this
event, as given by Miss Montgomery, con-
tinues:
CAS- the custom house barges approached
with the company. they were ordered to
lay on their oars while a salute Of thirteen
guns was fired. Amid this firing Menden-
hail was ordered TO haul down the English
flag and hoist the first American stars
ever seen in foreign port Cheers for
the NaticGal Congress-; cries of Down
with the lion, up with the Stars and
Stripes!' were shouted. This caused great
excitement to the numberless vessels then
lying in the harbor. and to the distinguish
ed guests was most animating scene.
After the entertainment was hurried over
they returned in their boats, and the brig
was soon under full SAIL" Commodore
Barry. of Revolutionary fame. has usual
ly been accorded the honor OF being the
first to raise the Stars and Stripes upon
the seas.
On the oath OF February. 1776, the Com
mittee of Safety at Philadelphia, ordered.
That Captain Proctor procure a flagstaff
for the fort. with flag Of the United
Colonies"
The hrst colors made for the American
feet, OF which there Is record, were made
by Mrs. Elizabeth Ross, as is shown by
the following extracted from the minutes
OF the Navy Board:
state Navy Board May 90. 1777 Pre-
sent: William Bradford, Joseph Marsh.
JOSEPH Blewer, Paul Cox.
"An order on william Webb to Eliza
beth Ross for s14 12s. and I'd. for max
ing ships colors, etc, put into William
Richards store. G14. II. q"
The officers, directors. and charter
members of the American Flag House
and Betsy Ross Memorial Association are
among the most distinguished of Ameri-
c1n statesmen, scholars, eeclesiastics,
soldiers, and philanthropists.
Among them are DR.. Edward Brooks.
Superintendent of Public Schools. Phila-
delphia; Adam II. Fetterclf, President Of
Girard College, Hon. John Wanamaker.
Ex-Governor Robert E. Pattison, Of Penn
sylvanfa; Hon. John Quincy Adams. Of
New York; Charles H. Weisgerber. Esq.
painter of the picture, Birth Of Our Ma
tion's Flag" Rev Morgan Dix. D. D..
Superintendent John Jasper. of New York
Public Schools: Gen. Oliver Otis Howard.
U. S. A.; Hon. Benjamin r. Tracy. George
Candy. ESQ.,, grandson Of Betsy Ross;
Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf; President
James MacAlister, L. L. D.. of Drexel In
sttute. Philadelphia; Rev. Russell H.
Conwell, d. D.; Col. Asa Bird Gardiner.
Lieut.. Francis A. Adams. George Clin-
ton Batchellcr. Esq, Of New York;
Thomas Wynhe, ESQ.,. DR.. Nathan C.
Schaeffer, superintendent of Public In
struction. State OF Pennsylvania: Fred H.
Cozzens, Esq, of Detroit; Edward Payson
Cone, Esq.,; Sidney L. Krauss, Esq; Gen.
Thomas J. Stewart; William A Carr,
Esq; Rev. Henry C. McCook. d. D.;
Charles w. Smith. ESQ.,. OF Philadelphia;
Judge William N. Ashman. and Hon. Ed
win S. Stuart.