The Life of John Jay —— With Selections From His Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers

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ISBN: 9781331323853 出版年：2016 页码：555 William Jay Forgotten Books

When the clerk of the congress gave me the printed papers which I enclosed you, he told me they contained the navy establishment. Whatever deficiencies there may be in them as to that matter, will I hope be supplied by the extract now enclosed.As to continental colours, the Congress have made no order as yet concerning them, and I believe the captains of their armed vessels have in that particular been directed by their own fancies and inclinations. I remember to have seen a flag designed for one of them, on which was extremely well painted a large rattlesnake, rearing his crest and shaking his rattles, with this motto, Don't tread on me, but whether this device was generally adopted by the fleet, I am not able to say, - I rather think it was not.