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MEMORANDA RELATIVE TO THE FLAG AND SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
The flag of the United States had its statutory beginning June 14, 1777, as follows:—
"Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
The stars (or mullets) heraldically speaking, are five pointed.
All authorities and precedents unite in establishing the stars as now arranged in a rectangular diagram.
In consequence of the admission of Vermont in 1791, and Kentucky in 1792, an act was passed, approved January 13, 1794, as follows:—
"Be it enacted, etc., That from and after the first day of May, 1795, the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be fifteen stars, white in a blue field."
As the number of States was rapidly increasing in the following years, there was a great diversity in regard to the number of stars and stripes, and an act was passed and approved April 14, 1818, entitled
"An Act to Establish the Flag of the United States.
"Section 1. Be it enacted, etc., That from and after the fourth day of July next, the flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; that the union have twenty stars, white in a blue field.
"Sect. 2. And be it further enacted, That on the admission of every new State into the Union, one star be added to the union of the flag; and that such addition shall take effect on the fourth of July next succeeding such admission."
The following circular was thereupon issued:—
(Circular.)
Sir,—The Navy Commissioners have to inform you that agreeably to the Act of Congress on the 4th of April, 1818, entitled "An Act to establish the flag of the United States," our national flag is, from and after the 4th day of July next, to be: Thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white. The union to be twenty stars, white in a blue field, one star to be added on the admission into the Union of every new State; such addition to be made from and after the 4th of July next succeeding the date of such admission.
The size of the flag must be in the proportion of fourteen feet in width and twenty-four feet in length, the field of the union must be one third the length of the flag, and seven thirteenths of its depth, so that from the top to the bottom of the union there will be seven stripes, and six stripes from the bottom of the union to the bottom of the flag. The manner of arranging the stars you will perceive by the subjoined sketch.
The upper and lower stripes to be red.
Respectfully,
The Officer Commanding,
- The Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N. H.
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