l Burnside was also present by invitation.
Mayor Cranston, after reading the correspondence accompanying the
flags, remarked as follows:

"Company F, accept this offering--our unconquered and
unconquerable national flag--and this State standard, the emblem
of freedom for more than two hundred years--the patriotic and
cheerful gift of Rhode Islanders in the Eden of the Pacific to
you, their brothers in the Eden of the Atlantic. Guard them
sacredly and well--carefully preserve and affectionately cherish
them; if necessary, lay down your lives in their defence against
foreign invasion or domestic insurrection, and your reward will
be the gratitude of honest and loyal men on earth, the
approbation of God, and eternal felicity in that new Paradise
where there will neither be wars nor rumors of wars, and where
the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace will reign supreme
forever."

Colonel Burnside responded. After a few remarks acknowledging the
kindness of the patriotic Californians, he turned to the members of
Company F and addressed them as follows:

"With you, Company F, I leave these colors. For their proper
keeping I need give you no charge. You have been tried and have
indeed been found not wanting. Take them; accept them as a part
of the history of the First Rhode Island Regiment, as a part of
the history of your own gallant state and as an emblem of the
glory of your dearly loved country. Love the one flag and
revere the others. Many dark hours we have already passed
through, and many more are yet to be undergone. But let no man
of us falter as to the success of our glorious cause. In all our
work, however dangerous or arduous, we shall be followed by the
prayers of loved friends at home and of the true and loyal of
all our country, and of the good and true of every land. The
great God above may chasten us in his wisdom, but rest assured
He will never forsake us in His justice. To you, Mr. Mayor, I
render my sincere thanks for your kind words of me. They are
indeed precious to me. The words of commendation which have been
spoken of my conduct by my approving fellow citizens are my
highest reward. And as to Company F, I have no fears but they
will do as they have done before--their whole duty. Better
soldiers never trod the soil of this or any other la