Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-06-20

Branch once, f2s y ST.. waahinefnr n.
which was composed OF three broad
horizontal bars, the two outer ones red
and the middle one white, with a blue
union. containing nine stars in a
circle.
The first ensign display sd by regu-
lar American man -of-war was hoisted
by John Paul Jones, a Scotchman by
birth, whose nautical exploits figured
SO prominently during the revolution
AIRY war. On the Sd of December, IT'S,
he was commissioned rs second lieuten-
ant of the Alfred. then lying 10 the
Delaware, and In the same mouth. De
oember, FROM the mast OF the Alfred he
displayed flag believed to contain the
device of pine tree with rattle
snake at its root, about to strike, and
the words Don't tread on me ~
The Stars and Stripes were unfurled
for the first time by the army at the
hattie of Saratoga, on the occasion OF
the surrender Of Gen. Burgoyne, Octo-
Der 18th, TIT.
This claim is disputed by another
authority claiming that to Delaware be.
longs the honor of unfurling the first
flag on both land anu sea, for, on SEN
tenber I'd, l77T, at Cooch's Biidge. in
an attack made by the Americans
against Gen. Howe, then on his road to
Philadelphia, regiment of Blue Hen u
chickens fought under tho flag for the
first time.
The United States flag in its present
form was first thrown to the breeze over
the House of Representatives ut Wash
ington, ID. O., on the 18TH Of April, 1878.
The first United States flag raised in
a foreign port was displayed from tho
mast OF Wilmington vessel, under the
following circumstances and lor the
reason OF it's local interest, fell iusti-
lied in giving the account verbatim from
Elizabeth Montgomery's Reminis-
cences of Wilmington. In the winter
OF 1775, Robert Morris, ESQ.,, Finsncier
for the Continental Congress, chartered
the brig Nancy, of Wilmington, Del,
owned by Joseph Shallcross, joseph
Tatnall and others, and by Cant Hugh
Montgomery, who was commander. The
ensuing March she sailed for Porto
Rico, under English colors, and landed
at Don Antonio Seronia to procure
arms and ammunition by a contract
previously made with the Spanish gov.
eminent. Thence the brig sailed to
different islands to elude suspicion. At
st. Croix and st. Thomas she took In
produce by day and munitions. OF war
by night; these were sent id small
vessels from st. Eustatia, being neutral
islands. When the cargo was nearly
complete, information was received that
Independence was declared, and de-
scription of the oolors adopted. This
was cheering intelligence to the cap.
tain, as 1t would divest him of acting
clandestinely. Now they could show
their true colors. The material was at
once procured, and q young man on
board set tu work privately to make
them. He was well known here in after
years as Capt. Thomas Mendenhall
The number Of men was increased and
the brig armed for defence, and all
things put in order. The day th ~
sailed, the captain and Mr.. A. s. had
invited the Governor and suite with 20
other gentlemen on board to dine. A
sumptuous dinner was cooked, and q
sea turtle being prepared, gave the
usual name of turtle feast. As the
custom house barges approached with
the company, they were orderedfo lay
On their oars while salute OF Is guns
was fired. Amid the firing, this young
man was ordered to haul down tho
aAhSisph iiuEs uhb hoiou bho htou
can stars ever seen In foreign port
Cheers for the National Congress, {"
cries of '.Down with the lion, - ''up
with the Stars and Stripes" were
shouted.
Paris Figaro few years ago printed
the following:
1t Is not generally known that the
Star Spangled Banner OF the United
States is older than any ono OF the
present flags of the great European
powers. 1t was adopted IN l777 by the
Congress of the Thirteen Colonies Of
North America, then at war with the
mother country. The yellow and red
Spanish flag came out in 1885; the
French trioolor was adopted In 1884;
the red English, emblem, with the
Union Jack 10 the upper corner, dates
from 1901; the Sandman (now the
Italianl flag first fiuttered in Is42; the
Austro- Hungarian flag was one of the
consequences Of rhe compromise If
1867; the present German flag first
appeared in 1871, and the Russia tri-
color is quite recent affair. SN
The only modification that the
American flag has undergone sincelits
origin consists in the addition OF new
star every time n new State is taken
into the Union. The stars now number
40 and, unfortunately for Spain, 1t Is
more than likely that they have not yet
come to the end of their u ultiplication.
The West Chester, Pa, Local News
printed the following last August:
The following, 10 reference to the old
flag and its history, comes from Will
mington gentleman to Col. Hooton, and
is of special historic Inherent at this
time. The good work of our historical
people is bearing fruit, anu the page OF
history is oaily being illumed more
and more by these laborers in q com.
mendable CAUSE
Wilmington, DEL, eth-ino. 6, 19Oe.-Hop,
Francis O. Hooton: ! received your letter IN
regard to the flag. ! will say the flag is four
feet six inches wide by four feet four inches
long. The field Is white with ID stars cut
out by hund, sewed on the stripes, and are
81 inches long The flag is entirely red, the
stripes are white, but turned yellow by age
The stars are red. This nag was carried By
mothers grandfather, and IL has been in
the family ever since the battle. III nothing
happens will bring 1t to West Chester on
Monday afternoon of August 1sth, or In the
morning of the 18th, 50 you can see it. III
you will tell me where can see you, will
give you better history OF 1t. vi
Yours respectfully, r. W. Harrison,
61S Van Buren, street, Wilmington, Del.