tain McNeill. It must have been the Congress
flag, as the news of the passage of the act of June 14th creating the
Stars and Stripes could not have been known by those on the Mifflin, as
in those days we had no merchant marine or other means except through
armed vessels of communicating with other countries.

The galleys on the Delaware were in charge of the Pennsylvania Committee
of Safety. They had no colors to hoist in August, 1776, as can be seen
by the following letter of Mr. Richards, dated the 19th of that month.
It was directed to the committee, and said:

"I hope you have agreed what sort of colors I am to have made for
the galleys, as they are much wanted."

And this was two months after the alleged date of the Ross claim. The
following letter will give a description of the sailing of the first
fleet of war vessels this government ever owned:

"NEWBERN, N. C., Feb. 9, 1776.

"By a gentleman from Philadelphia, we have received the pleasing
account of the actual sailing from that place of the first American
fleet that ever swelled their sails on the western ocean in defense
of the rights and liberties of the people of these Colonies, now
suffering under the persecuting rod of the British ministry, and
their more than brutish tyrants in America. This fleet consists of
five sail, fitted out from Philadelphia, which are to be joined at
the capes of Virginia by two ships more from Maryland, and is
commanded by Admiral Hopkins, a most experienced and venerable
sea captain. The admiral's ship is called the Columbus, after
Christopher Columbus, thirty-six guns, 12 and 9-pounders, on two
decks, forty swivels and five hundred men. The second ship is
called the Cabot, after Sebastian Cabot, who completed the
discoveries of America made by Columbus, and mounts thirty-two
guns. The others are smaller vessels, from twenty-four to fourteen
guns. They sailed from Philadelphia amidst the acclamations of many
thousands assembled on the joyful occasion, under the display of a
Union flag with thirteen stripes in a field, emblematical of the
thirteen united colonies; but, unhappily for us, the ice in the
river Delaware as yet obstructs the passage down; but the time
will now soon arrive when this fleet must come to action. Their
destination is a secret, but generally suppos