The state herald., 1908-07-03

lived under the British flag. In 1850
the flag of New England was white.
charged with st, Georges cross In red
surmounted with the crown. In the
center was inscribed Jacobus Rex.
While Manhattan was in possession OF
the Dutch the ships waved flag on
which was a beaver, the then insignia
colonies adopted the Union Jack OF
Great Britain. This was formed by a
combination of st. Andrews and st.
Georges crosses. and OF course was
typical of the fact that the two coun.
tries had become one when Queen
Elizabeth died and the Scottish king
succeeded TO the English throne.
At the time of our revolt from Brit
ish authority the Union Jack was In
general use, usually bearing some
patriotic motto OF which Liberty and
Union" was the favorite. Directly aft
er the battle of Lexington new fiag
was improvised with the motto OF the
state of Connecticut, viz. "Qui trans
tulit sustinet." This soon gave way
TO reglmental colors. each being dis
uncuye In shade. At Bunker Hill n
blue flag was chosen to designate New
England troops-the first sign we sec
OF union in the colonial army. This
nag had ST. Georges cross In one
corner. 1t was growing beautifully
less within our limits and soon after
wards disappeared when Gen. Put.
nam displayed a red banner on Pros
pect hill with the motto AN Appeal
20 Heaven" The colony OF Massa
chusetts sent out cruisers In the
spring, supplying each with a white
nag on which was painted n green
pine tree. When armed vessels were
commissioned in Washington the,
were furnished with flags OF similar
kind.
To Col. William Moultrie OF South
Carolina is due the honor OF raising
the first republican flag. II had 4
white crescent on blue ground. Thii
was unfurled on the east bastion o
the fortress In Charleston harbor, June
rs. 1916. while on the opposite sid,
waved the nag called the "Grea
Union"
June II. i7T7. the Continental con
gress. realizing the inapproprlatenesi
OF longer using British colors. resolved
that the nag OF the 10 United statci
be 10 stripes. alternate red and white
that the union be IL stars. white In
blue neld, representing a new con
stollatlon."
Tho first national nag after this ~,
tern was made by Mrs. Ross. n n,
OF Philadelphia. She had some dis
tlnguishod men TO assist her, anon
whom were Benjamin Franklin nnt
Gen. Joseph Reed. We arc not in
formed whether these mon. appointe,
by congress for the purpose. used IN,
thimblo. needle and thread that IN,
lady herself employed. From her zen
.ral character II is probable that Mrs
Ross declined TO let them boss ,h,
Job" and proceeded in her own way.
The IL stars OF the nag OF III
were arranged In circle. although
thore was no offieially prescribe,
form. In 1894. after tho admission
of Vermont and Kentucky into IN
union. Il was resolved by congroH
that from and after May I. 1895. "th
nag OF the United States ba 10 stripe
alternate red and white. that tho unlo
be Is stars. white. in blu. field.
No provision was made by this nc
for future alterations. nor were mn
changes made till 1918. although
number of new states were ndmltte
meanwhile into the union. On Apr
4 OF that year bill cmbodying III
suggestions Of Capt Samuel q. Rel,
who recommended the reduction {
tho stripes 10 the originai ~ and III
adoption Of stars equal 10 the numbt
Of tho states. formed into one larR
star. and a new star 10 be added o
the Fourth Of July next succeeding N
admission Of each new state. was al
proved by President Monroe. and N
nag thus established was afterwaf