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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence --Franklin and Adams to the Ambassador of Naples.†
[Note †: † MSS. Dep. of State; 1 Sparks' Dip. Rev. Corr., 342.]
Passy, October 9, 1778.
Sir: We are this moment honored with your excellency's letter of the 8th of this month, and we thank your excellency for the information that his majesty the King of the Two Sicilies has ordered the ports of his dominions to be open to the flag of the United States of America. We should be glad to have a copy of his majesty's edict for that purpose, in order to communicate it to Congress, who, we are confident, will be much pleased with this mark of his majesty's benevolence.
It is with pleasure that we acquaint your excellency that the flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen stripes, alternately red, white, and blue; a small square in the upper angle, next the flagstaff, is a blue field, with thirteen white stars, denoting a new constellation.
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Some of the States have vessels of war distinct from those of the United States. For example, the vessels of war of the State of Massachusetts Bay have sometimes a pine tree; and those of South Carolina a rattlesnake, in the middle of the thirteen stripes. Merchant ships have often only thirteen stripes, but the flag of the United States, ordained by Congress, is the thirteen stripes and thirteen stars above described.
The commissions of ships of war belonging to the United States, as well as those of privateers, are all signed by the President of Congress and countersigned by the secretary. Each State may have a different method of clearing vessels outward bound and a different form in the papers given, therefore we are not able to give your excellency certain information respecting all of them. The Massachusetts Bay has only a naval officer in each port, who subscribes a register, a clearance, and a pass for the castle in Boston harbor.
We have the honor to be, etc.,
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