It is interesting to note the transition of the names. Under Charles I., in 1634, it was described as "the Union Flagge"; under Charles II., in 1663, "His Majesty's Jack, commonly called the Union Jack." The usage of the name Jack had thus early and largely spread, and it is further shown by a letter written by Burchett, the Secretary of the Admiralty, in 1695, regarding the flag carried by the Earl of Pembroke in the expedition against Cadiz, in which he says: "There was some doubt as to whether his Lordship should have borne at the maintop masthead the Royal Standard of England or the Union, or, more properly speaking in maritime phrase, the Jack flag commonly worn by those who have under the Lord High Admiral been appointed Admirals of the Fleet."[173]
It is not surprising, therefore, that under Queen Anne, in 1707, it is again described as "Our Jack, commonly called the Union Jack."
This name of the flag had, in fact, become so general that it had affectionately passed onward to give its name to the gallant sailors who bore it, as is instanced in nautical ballads:
"There's a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft, To keep watch for the life of poor Jack."[174]
Used thus for centuries by sailors in song and on shore, although the name given in the proclamation of George III., 1801, was the "Union Flagge," the ancient and loving name of Union Jack has always prevailed among its upholders.
In the issue of official instructions there is propriety and, perhaps, necessity for using the different names, but they all contain the dominant name of "Union," and describe the same flag in its single form—the two-crossed or, in its succession, three-crossed Jack of united nationality.
There is another and distinctive use of the Union Jack. Surrounded by a white border of one-fifth of its width, it becomes a "Pilot Jack," and in this form becomes the official signal for a pilot, and is so used on all British ships, merchantmen as well as men-of-war, in all parts of the world. This white-bordered Jack is only appropriately to be used for this special signal service.
The restrictions given in the early proclamations as to the flying of the Union Jack at sea, and the official instructions as to its use as a special distinction on shore, particularly for military garrisons and official residences, have given rise to questionings as to the right of its being used by all British private citizens on land. Their authority to use it afloat has been clearly defined, but not so clearly that of their right on shore, although such has been the usage and practice of centuries.
The proclamation of Queen Anne declared the flag which conjoyning the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew, had been approved to be "used in all flags and ensigns both at sea and land," and then proceeded to state restrictions only as to their particular using as insignia at sea, where as signs of authority and signals on ships such restrictions were unquestionably necessary.
No restrictions were placed upon their use on land, and thus all citizens of the United Kingdom were given authority to use on land "Our Jack, commonly called the Union Jack," the loyal usage which had grown up under its predecessors being confirmed. This right was not in any way changed at the time of the creation of the present Union Jack, which, in 1801, succeeded it, and so to the first century of loyal and common usage have been further added two centuries of loyal right.