“Present: William Bradford, Joseph Marsh, Joseph Blewer, Paul Cox.
“An order on William Webb to Elizabeth Ross for fourteen pounds, twelve shillings and two pence for making ships’ colors, etc., put into William Richards’ store, £14.12.2.”
Fourth. Also in May, 1777, the State of Massachusetts knew nothing of a national ensign of the Ross description, as seen by the following bill paid by the Board of War of that State to Joseph Webb: “To mending an ensign and sewing in pine tree, 6s.”
Also:
“May , State of Mass., Pay to Jos. Webb, Dr. , 1777. To making a suit of colors, 44s.; thread, 12s.; painting Pine trees, etc., 24s.—£4.0.0.
“John Conston.
“Armed Brig Freedom.”
flag carried in the revolution by the first regiment
of the pennsylvania line
Fifth. If Washington and the others had agreed on a design in June, 1776, as Mr. Canby claims, Washington would have had it officially adopted, because he above all men knew the necessity of a national emblem, and more especially would he have done so immediately after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in July following, and he would not then have fought at Trenton and Princeton in December, 1776, under the State ensigns, or at Long Island or White Plains under the flags mentioned.