union being the only portion seen. It was hurriedly adopted at the very close of a session of the last Congress, as the best they could do under the multiplicity of plans submitted, and when the contest really was whether the battleflag should form a part of it. See accompanying letter from Colonel A. R. Boteler, chairman of the Committee on Flag and Seal of last Congress, in favor of this amendment. I respectfully submit that the bill before the Senate removes all the objections urged against the Confederate flag. It gives it correctness of proportion, distinctness and character, renders it fit for practical use and presents a beautiful standard, which, under no circumstances, can be mistaken for a flag of truce or for the flag of any other nation on earth. It relieves the flag of its pale-faced appearance and makes it look more martial.
The battleflag selected by General Johhston, and recommended by himself and General Beauregard, under which so much blood has been spilled in our struggle for independence, is fully displayed as the union of the proposed flag, which can only be done by surrounding it with white, and the red bar, forming the outer half of the field from the union, is suggested as the best design for its improvement. I am opposed to all stripes, many or few, red or blue. Instead of "the Stars and Stripes," let us have the Stars and Bars. The colors of the new flag would be chiefly white and red with as little as possible of the Yankee blue.
The heraldic significance of these colors is deemed especially appropriate for the Confederate States—the white (argent) being emblematic of purity and innocence, and the red (gules) of fortitude and courage. In the adoption of ensigns by various nations of the world, it is noticed by Captain Hamilton, in the history of the United States flag, that they generally imitate the ensigns of the nations from which they sprung. This rule is complied with in the flag as proposed, for our people are chiefly descended from the British and French, and we get the union and cross of Saint Andrew from the former and the red bar from the flag of the latter nation, while the idea of having stars to represent the States respectively is taken from the flag of the old Union, mainly founded by our forefathers. The new flag is easily made and is without the complication of any painting, which, besides the difficulty of correct execution, soon rots the bunting. The proportions, while most pleasing to the eye, possess the virtue of simplicity—the white below and on side of union being same width as the red bar. They have been approved by some of the best artists in the Confederacy, and after a careful examination have been pronounced correct by some of the most experienced officers of the navy, such as Commodore Forrest, Captain Raphael Semmes, Captain S. S. Lee, Captain Mason and Captain W. H. Parker, the latter being at the head of the Confederate States Naval Academy. Your committee has been furnished by the Quartermaster-General with a model flag, made in strict accordance therewith. It may be proper to add that this improvement of the flag is advocated by almost the entire Rich-
