The Story of Old Glory

Note from the Editor: As the fourth of July comes this week, here is the story of Old Glory through the eyes of Bro. John W. Barry as he catalogs the differing designs of Old Glory. Enjoy!

WE Masons who teach so continuously and so much by symbols, point with a pride truly laudable to the part of Masonry in establishing the greatest symbol known among nations--the stars and stripes now so fondly called "Old Glory."

At its entrance it was received on the sharp points of many instruments, but being borne by those taught to yield their lives rather than their honor, it passed all obstructions and was finally raised and "in triumph it will wave o'er the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave."

While most of the Masons were united in opposing their king's claim of "a divine right to govern wrong," yet some of them were on the king's side, but for the most part they moved to Canada, so that in general while every patriot was not a Mason, yet every Mason was a patriot. These Canadians from the States had long memories which served to promote and prolong a greater enmity toward us by Canada than had ever been evinced by England, greatly retarding the benign influence of the Masonic tie. Even to this day our Canadian brothers esteem it an honor that their ancestors refused to turn "traitor" and with us a Revolutionary ancestor is a birth mark of distinction--yet the mellowing of time has brought a kindlier note and "God save the King" and "America" are chanted to the same tune, and Old Glory is honored now by the descendants of its bitterest foes at its entrance in 1776.

THE ENTRANCE OF"OLD GLORY"

First will be given the story of the flag from the standpoint of the patriot - just as our fathers fought to establish it. Then will follow some of the things done by those who met upon the level and fought on the square.

Truly our flag came from "darkness to light" and many facts about its earlier history can never be known. The patriot cause in 1776 was worked out in the very shadow of the firing squad and the gallows. It was no jest but a most serious remark of Franklin that if they did not hang together they most certainly would hang separately. In Congress, therefore, the secrecy of Masonry, in which so many of them were initiates, was strictly enjoined on every member.

THE SECRET PACT

The "Secret Pact" (1) was a commandment in Congress to which every member was required to subscribe:

Resolved that every member of this Congress consider himself under the ties of virtue, honor and love of his country not to divulge directly or indirectly any matter or thing agitated or debated in Congress before the same shall have been determined, without leave of the Congress; nor any matter or thing determined in Congress which a majority shall order to be kept secret, and that if any member shall violate the agreement, he shall be expelled this Congress and deemed an enemy to the liberties of America and liable to be treated as such and that every member signify his consent to this agreement by signing the same.

The names include the leaders of the time--many of them the very makers of America. In keeping with the spirit of the famous "Pact," the secretary of Congress, Charles Thompson, made a record of only those doings requiring it. So the wonder is not that we have so few facts touching some matters but rather that we have any.

WASHINGTON GIVES THE BRITISH "JOY"

On January 1, 1776, the New Constitutional army was organized and a "Union flag" was raised. In writing to his secretary, Joseph Reed, at Philadelphia Washington said referring to this flag and the king's speech spurning the petition of Congress:

"The speech I send you. A volume of them was sent out by the Boston gentry, and farcical enough, we gave great joy to them (red coats, I mean) without knowing or intending it, for on that day, the day which gave being to our new Army, but before the proclamation came to hand we had hoisted the Union Flag in compliment to the United Coionies. But behold, it was received in Boston as a token of the deep impression the speech had made on us, and as a signal of submission. So we learn by a person out of Boston last night. By this time I presume they think it strange that we have not made a formal surrender of our lines...."

What sort of a flag could this have been ?

THE ONLY CONTEMPORARY DRAWING OF WASHINGTON'S FIRST FLAG

Benson J. Lossing, who was a most eminent American Historian, in preparing his history of General Philip Schuylel, found among the general's papers, this drawing in colors--the only one known to exist of the new flag used by the Americans in 1776. As none of their flags are preserved to us, this drawing is a most important link in the flag story.

Benson J. Lossing says: (2) "Why the hoisting of the Union Flag in compliment to the colonies should have been received by the British as "signal of submission," was a question historians could not answer until 1855, when the writer of this work discovered among the papers of General Philip Schuyler a drawing of the Royal Savage with the Union flag at its mast-head." The sloop and flag are here shown in No. 1. The drawing is endorsed in the writing of Gen. Schuyler as "Captain Wynkoop's schooner on Lake Champlain," it being one of a small fleet under command of Arnold, assembled by Schuyler to oppose the British advance from Canada. Here you see the only contemporaneous drawing of the flag like the one raised by Washington at Cambridge. From the colored drawing of the Royal Savage flag plus the disjointed references in contemporaneous prints, the flag Washington raised to the "joy" of the enemy is found to be one and the same and is shown in No. 3 and is known as the Cambridge flag. The exact counterpart of the flag of India.

THE FLAG WASHINGTON RAISED AT CAMBRIDGE

It is often stated that the Cambridge flag was the work of a Committee from Congress--but such claim rests on inferences only. 'Tis true Congress did send a committee composed of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Harrison and Thomas Lynch to confer with Washington at Cambridge. This committee arrived Oct. 16, 1775, and remained in conference with Washington and leading patriots about a week. The minutes of the committee's proceedings are on file in the Department of State, Washington, D. C., together with a letter in the writing of Franklin and signed by all the committee. Lloyd Balderston of Ridgway, Pa., (3) has recently examined these documents carefully. The letter was written to John Hancock, president of Congress, and fully described all the committee had done. But there is nothing in the minutes or in the letter giving the remotest intimation regarding a flag of any kind. How these flags came to be or who made them is unknown but since 1855, Lossing says, we know why they were taken as indicating submission. The answer is to be found in a well known flag of India.

THE ENGLISH EAST INDIA COMPANY

It is the flag of the English East India Company which practically owned India, subject only to the English king and not until Sept. 1, 1858, were its regal powers surrendered. This Company maintained a large army of its own as well as ships of commerce and of war. It had the right to make war and peace "in all heathen nations" and administered all laws--civil and criminal. No. 4 shows its flag in 1704, the 13 red and white stripes referring to India and St. George's Cross to England. It was reproduced by Rear-Admiral George Henry Preble in his monumental work of 800 pages on the United States flag. He takes it from a work called "The Present State of the Universe" by J. Beaumont, 4th edition, published in London, 1704. (4) At the time, 1704, the cross of St. George was the flag of England and the 13 stripes of alternate red and white the badge of her loyal East India Company, whose tea was used by St. Andrew's Lodge in its now famous Ocean Tea Party at Boston in 1773. There were slight changes in the union of the flag of India, following the changes in the flag of England until 1858 when India became a crown colony. These changes will be more readily understood in connection with Figure 5 which is St. George's Cross. This Cross was the flag of England until her union with Scotland in 1707. Then No. 5 was united with No. 6, St. Andrew's Cross, which at that time was the flag of Scotland, making No. 7 the union flag of England known as the King's Colors. So after 1707, the King's Colol s took the place of St. George's Cross in the flag of the English East India Company, making it the exact counterpart of the Royal Savage flag and Washington's Cambridge flag. In 1801 No. 4, Figure 8, St. Patrick's Cross, then the flag of Ireland, was united with No. 7, the King's Colors, making No. 9, the flag of England since 1801.

Again the flag of the English East India Company changed its "union" to accord with the flag of England. (5) The word "union" in connection with flags refers to any device in the upper staff corner, indicating a union of government--as of England and Scotland in 1707.

REBEL RAGS

The King's speech had just been sent out and its stern tone was expected to overawe the rebels, whose many flags--several to each colony--were known and dubbed by the English, "rebel rags." Naturally they were all looked upon as the emblems of traitors but when (6) the "Union flag" raised by Washington was seen, many of the English troops being fresh from India, it was at once recognized as the distinctive flag of a loyal English colony, and it gave them joy and an indication of "submission." Truly Washington might have signaled them thus:--"However natural this supposition may be to you, yet it is erroneous," for to the honor of those "embattled farmers" be it said that Washington then and there proceeded to give the most daring knockout blow in the annals of war. Truly that which he proposed, he performed, for without powder and under the very guns of the English fleet and army, he disbanded one army and organized another and on March 17, 1776, forced the British to evacuate Boston and flee in terror from that flag which scarce two months ago, they had hailed as a flag of submission. Verily, that "supposition was erroneous."

Following his success at Boston, Washington was called to Philadelphia to confer with Congress. He arrived on May 22 and returned to the Army on June 5, and was not again in Philadelphia until August 2, 1777. During the time Washington was in Philadelphia the only official mention yet discovered of flags of any kind is in a post-script of his letter under date of May 28, 1776, to Major General Putnam, as follows:

"P. S. I desire you'll speak to the several Col's and hurry them to get their colours done." The "colours" of a regiment may be very different from the flag of the country--and again might be the same.

There is no other mention of flags in anything official or semi-official until Saturday, June 14, 1777, almost a year after the Declaration of Independence when Congress without previous discussion, resolution or committee report, recorded the "entrance" of Old Glory.

ORIGINAL JOURNAL OF CONGRESS PHOTOGRAPHED

Page 243 of the original journal of Congress is shown in No. 10 reproduced from a photograph. (7) That it may be the more easily read we reprint the flag resolution together with the John Paul Jones resolutions immediately following it, as if giving a reason for adopting the flag on this particular day. First the secretary, Charles Thompson, wrote, "Resolved, That the flag of the United states consist of." Then he erased "consist of" and wrote above "be distinguished," and changed "of" to "by." Finally he deleted the wolds "distinguished by," making the resolution read as follows:

"Resolved, That the Flag of the United States be 13 stripes alternate red and white, that the Union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation."

Immediately following is the resolution appointing John Paul Jones to command the Ranger, as follows:

"The Council of the state of Massachusetts bay having represented by letter to the president of Congress that Capt. John Roach sometime since appointed to command the continental ship of war the Ranger is a person of doubtful character and ought not to be intrusted with such a command. Therefore

Resolved that Captain John Roach be suspended until the Navy Board for the eastern department shall have inquired fully into his character and reported thereon to the Marine committee.

Resolved that Captain John Paul Jones be appointed to command the said ship Ranger.

Resolved that William Whipple esq. member of Congress, and of the Marine committee, John Langdon Esq. continental agent and the said capt John Paul Jones be authorized to appoint the lieutenant and other commissioned and warrant officers necessary for the said ship and that blank commissions . ."-- the resolution is finished on the next page of the Journal of Congress.

CONGRESS GIVING OFFICIAL SANCTION TO A FLAG IN ACTUAL USE

The papers of the day took no notice of the adoption of a flag by Congress--not until August was the fact even mentioned. So September 3, 1777, the flag resolution appeared over the signature of Charles Thompson, the secretary. Again April 23, 1783, AFTER, PEACE had been secured, Congress caused the flag resolution over the signature of secretary Thompson to be republished in the Pennsylvania Gazette, REQUESTING OTHER PAPERS TO COPY. (8)

From the total lack of interest in the public prints of the time, it would seem that the resolution of Congress was merely to give official recognition to a flag already familiar and in use. Why it was done June 14, 1777, instead of Sonle other day appears in the resolution immediately following appointing Bro. John Paul Jones to the command of the Ranger which actually carried "Old Glory" clear around England and right into her harbors.

Avery says, (9) "After the Declaration of Independence, the British "union" was removed from the colors of the new nation." True he does not say WHEN the British "union" was removed, but after the Declaration, there was EVERY REASON why the King's Colors should NOT be on the American flag. Indeed the resohltion itself is a proof that the flag being adopted was actually before Congress and too familiar to need detailed description, as to the arrangement of the stripes, whether the top and bottom stripes should be red or white, whether there should be 7 red or only 6, or as to the arrangement of the stars, or as to whether there should be stars or some other device in the staff CORNER or in some other part of the flag. It seems reasonable to conclude that Jones appointed to the Ranger and about to make his renowned voyage, needed all AUTHORIZED flag, and Congress adopted one in actual use but there is no official record of any kind except that above given.

WHO MADE THE FLAG CONGRESS ADOPTED?

In No. 11 is shown the flag adopted by Congress-- the flag signaling the entrance of a new nation, "a new constellation," June 14, 1777.

Whence the idea and who made the flag?

George Canby's work on The Evolution of thc American Flag, shows with reasonable conclusiveness that when Washington was in Philadelphia just before the Declaration of Independence, he with Robert Morris and George Ross, members of Congress, called at a little upholstering shop in Arch street. This was run by Betsy Ross, whose husband, John Ross, had been killed a shirt time before while in the service of his country. He was the nephew of George Ross, member of Congress, who now with Robert Morris brings Washington to one of the most expert needle women in Philadelphia--and who up to 1827 continued to make flags for the United states--a fact which makes it seem all the more probable that she really did make the first one, an honor never claimed by any one else.

In No. 12 is shown the little upholstering shop where Betsy Ross made flags for the U.S. from June, 1776, to 1827 when she retired and her daughter Clarissa Sidney Wilson, continued to make flags until 1857 when she moved to Fort Madison, Iowa. So for 81 years flags for the U. S. were made in this house now preserved by a patriotic association as a shrine of American liberty. A large proportion of the money to buy the Flag House and maintain it for posterity as a shrine of American liberty in the city of "brotherly love," was obtained by 10 cent subscriptions. A copy of Weisgerber's famous painting was given to each subscriber. The picture is shown in No. 13, in which the painter agreeably to an artist's license has reversed the historic fact and instead of showing Washington ordering the flag to be made, he shows him, with Robert Morris and George Ross, inspecting the finished work. The picture of Betsy Ross is built up as a composite from photographs of her four daughters, there being no actual picture of her--so far as known. The event here shown took place between May 22 and June 5, 1776, during Washington's stay in Philadelphia, about a year hefore the flag resolution. Washington was not in Philadelphia again until Aug. 2, 1777, almost 2 months after the resolution of June 14th. The event is based on the sworn testimony of the four daughters of Betsy Ross, who had helped her in the work and as before stated Clarissa carried on the business herself after the death of her mother.

As further corroboration, in the Pennsylvania Archives" is an order dated May 29, 1777, "paying Elizabeth Ross fourteen pounds twelve shillings two pence for making ships colours." lf this payment was as slow as usual the chances are the work had been done long before. It is true that "ships colours" might not be stars and stripes, but it is also true that at this time there was no reason for making any other than our own Old Glory for "ship's colours." It is also suggested that "ships colours" might have been state flags but the fact is Pennsylvania had no state flag then and not until Oct. 9, 1799. So this record in fact does corroborate the Betsy Ross incident. Use before official adoption June 11, 1777.

"OLD GLORY" JAN. 3, 1777-- THE TESTIMONY OF WASHINGTON'S AID

Col. John Trumbull's reputation as an historical painter is world wide and rests on his FIDELITY to historic FACTS.

As he himself says, "Every minute article of dress, down to the buttons and spurs, were calefully painted from the different objects," (12) Col. Trumbull was present in command of his Company at Bunkel Hill and he fought as Washington's aid at Trenton and Princeton, taking active part in the battles. He is therefore a competent witness. But before giving his testimony as to the early use of the stars and stripes, let us show a sample of his accuracy in related events.

In his "Bunker Hill," (Fig. 11) note the Pine Tree flag opposing the King's colors. Joseph Warren is down just below the gun of John Knowlton who is one who had just shot at Pitcairn seen falling into the arms of his son under the King's colors. At the extreme right is Sam Salem the negro who also has shot at Pitcairn. The Americans were particularly incensed - at Pitcairn for many things and recently because in stirring a glass of grog with his finger had said that in that way he would stir the blood of the Yankees. But particular attention is called to the flags. (13)

Again in his "Burgoyne," (Fig. 15) the troops are arranged in accord with historic fact--Gates receiving the surrendered sword of Burgoyne and returning it in compliment to the bravery of a vanquished foe, and all is accul ate "to the buttons on the coats."

In his "Yorktown," (Fig. 16) is again the accuracy of a camera--the French on the left with their flag of white silk, the Americans on the right, Washington at their head and the stars and stripes above him. Between the lines the English marched in new uniforms but with colors cased and drums beating an Old English march--"The World Turned Upside Down." In the center General Lincoln receives from Gen. O'Hara the sword of Cornwallis in token of his surrender, and leturns it to him in token of Washington's generosity.

No. 17 (Color Plate) is Trumbull's story of the battle of Princeton, being a direct photograph from the original. In his "Bunker Hill," "Burgoyne" and "Cornwallis," the scenes are everywhere admitted as correct and because of their correctness Congress paid Trumbull $32,000 for them. At Bunker Hill, Trumbull took an active part, and at Princeton was aid to Washington. Surely Trumbull should know what flag he was fighting under and he shows "Old Glory" and this on Jan. 3, 1777. This was six months before its official adoption by Congress. But in his "Bunker Hill," he does not show "Old Glory" because it was not there and he is recording the facts. Why shall we not give his "Princeton" the same credit for accuracy, so freely accorded his "Bunker Hill" and other productions? Further, Trumbull is corroborated by another eye witess who was in "Trenton" a week before, and also in active command.

FIRST BATTLE OF OLD GLORY DEC. 26, 7776--TESTIMONY OF A COMPANY COMMANDER

Charles Wilson Peale was a soldier, painter and Mason. He commanded a company at that awful Crossing of the Delaware, Dec. 26, 1776, and was actively engaged in the far famed Battle of Trenton. He is presumed to know what flag his company carried and therefore a competent witness. His picture, "Washington at Trenton," (Fig. 18) gives his testimony as to he flag used. Here it is, secured by direct photograph after long and patient effort. The painting now protected by a glass front hangs at the head of the grand stair case in the Senate wing of the Capitol at Washgton.

This drawing was made in 1779 only two years after the event, and many years later Titian R. Peale, his son, said in a letter quoted by both Preble and Canby:- "I have just had time to visit the Smithsonian Institute to see the portrait of Washington painted by my father, C.W. Peale, after the battle of Trenton. It is marked in his handwriting 1779. The flag represented is a blue field with white stars arranged in a circle. I don't know THAT I ever heard my father speak of that flag, but the trophies at Washington's feet I know he painted from the flags then captured, and which were left with him for the purpose. He was always very particular in matters of historic record in his pictures; the service sword in that picture is an instance and probably caused its acceptance by Congress. . . I have no other authority, but feel assured that the flag was the flag of our army at that time, 1779. My father commanded a company at the battles of Germantown, Trenton, Princeton, and Monmouth, and was a soldier as well as a painter, and I am sure, represented the flag then in use, not a regimental flag, but one to mark the new republic."

Therefore when the stars and stripes received their baptism of blood at Trenton, Dec. 26, 1776, and a week later at Princeton, one can easily understand why Congress adopted it on June 14, 1777, in a resolution of only thirty words--less than the limit of a day message at ordinary telegraph rates.

To sum up, first, the record shows that Washingon on his own initiative and authority raised the Cambridge flag of 13 stripes with the King's colors in its union. Second, though there be no actual record, yet the weight of evidence indicates that Washington again on his own INITIATIVE and authority ordered the stars and stripes to be made; and that he used the stars and stripes at the battles of Trenton and Princeton and on other occasions, and that Congress in the flag resolution of June 14, 1777, gave official recognition, for the first time, to the flag so used and constituted it the flag of the United States. Further each state holding itself to be a "sovereign independent commonwealth" and in most cases having a flag of its own, a variety of flags continued to be used, so that even after peace had been secured in 1783, Congress had the flag resolution republished over the signature of its secretary and requested all papers to copy. How essentially necessary such re-publication really was is evidenced by the fact that the "Board of War" did not know in 1779 a flag had been adopted. However this is not so strange for even now one Congress often shows culpable ignorance of what a previous Congress had done.

(1) Journal of American History, Vol 2, p. 235

(2) Vide page 1432, Vol. II Cyclopedia of U. S. History

(3) Vide Evolution of The American Flag, Canby & Baldbrston.

(4) Vide Preble p. 220.

(5) Vide Preble p. 221 showing a cut of the English East India Company's flag in 1834, with the 13 stripes and the present flag of England in its "union."

(6) Vide Preble p. 193

(7) Vide Canby's Evolution of the American Flag.

(8) Vide Canby's Evolution of the American Flag

(9) Vide Avery Vol. 6, p. 68.

(10) Vide Canby's Evolution of the American Flag

(11) Vide 2d Series Vol. I, page 164

(12) Vide Washington Irving's Washington Vol. IV, p. 327.

(13) Vide Avery's History of the United States Vol. 5.

Bro. John W. Barry

Grand Lodge of Iowa F.&A.M.