The Royal United Service Museum of England, under the control of the Royal United Service Institute, was founded by King William IV, on June 23, 1831. This institution was known as the Naval and Military Library and Museum, and was originally located in Vanbrugh House, Whitehall Yard, London, a house designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, out of the ruins of Whitehall, which was destroyed by fire.
As the collection grew in importance, a more spacious building was required, and after a second change it was transferred to the present location, the Banqueting House of Old Whitehall Palace, a building sentimentally and historically connected with the life of the British Nation.
In the reign of James I, the old palace of Whitehall had become so ruinous that it was rebuilt, and the splendid structure that now contains the museum is a part of the original design by the celebrated architect Inigo Jones. Charles I commissioned Rubens to decorate the ceiling, for which work was paid the sum of three thousand pounds, and in appreciation of the beautiful result, the title of knighthood was bestowed upon the artist. The ceiling has been renovated four times, the final work being completed in August, 1907.
In the Banqueting House were held some of the many fetes and masks of the time of James I. On the chill morning of January 30, 1649, King Charles I, walking between files of soldiers from his last night's resting place in St. James Palace, passed through the Banqueting Hall, and out of a window on to the scaffold in the open street. An inscription on brass has been placed in the Hall to recall this tragedy, and the window located. It was in this building that Cromwell, in 1657, made the famous speech declining the crown which was offered by a party of adherents. In this house, on the Restoration, Charles II received the felicitations of both Houses of Parliament on his assurance of future well-doing. On February 13, 1688, both Houses of the Convention, in this Hall, waited on the Prince and Princess of Orange to offer them the crown, and on the same day William and Mary were proclaimed King and Queen. With the accession of the House of Hanover, the Banqueting House was, by order of the Government, turned into a church. In it the ceremonials connected with the distribution of the Sovereign Maundy benefactions took place annually until 1890. One of the last public acts of William IV was the reopening in state, on April 30, 1837, of the Chapel Royal, and from that date until the last day of 1890 this building, though never consecrated, was utilized for religious purposes.
It would be hard to imagine a home more singularly appropriate for the wonderful collection of the Royal United Service Institute—a fabulous wealth of historical relics of glorious events, participated in by the military services, and which cannot fail to awaken in any British subject the love of home and a patriotic admiration for those whose deeds added luster to England's glory.
To any man of military education and life, the museum is a source of unfailing interest and illuminating instruction. To an American Naval officer, there are some relics the sight of which cause conflicting emotions. Prominently displayed among other captured flags, not far from (to the English) sacred relics of Nelson and Trafalgar, Wellington and Waterloo, is a tattered flag, exhibit No. 1229, labeled "The Flag of the United States Frigate Chesapeake, taken by H. M. S. Shannon, on June 1, 1813"—a brief statement, wonderfully concise, and pregnant with historical memories. The flag is not complete, as parts of the fly, beyond and below the union, are lacking; but sufficient remains to show the fifteen stripes, and the arrangement of the fifteen stars; holes there are through the union, which may or may not have been made by projectiles. The records of the museum show that the flag was sold at public auction on January 30, 1908, at the rooms of Messrs. Debenham, Storr, and Sons, London, for 1850 (approximately $4250).
Is it within the limits of propriety to obtain the return of this Flag? If it could be obtained, is the return desirable? To each of these questions, it is trusted, an affirmative answer can be given.
The writer was simply seeking information, and beyond such records of the museum as are open to public inspection, further search, lacking official authority, was not deemed expedient. What negotiations would be necessary to obtain the flag are not known, but it is hoped that others better informed on this subject will supply the information.
While the war of 1812 was to us most important, England at that time did not appear to take it so seriously. This is indicated in the History of the United States, studied during the first year at the Naval Academy, which states, in effect, that "at the time of the declaration of war by the United States (1812) England was so occupied with the conditions existing in Europe, that such declaration sounded as the wail of an infant." Perhaps it was considered that the colonies were lost beyond reclaim, and that too much consideration should not be given to this little war with the "States." These views may account for the fact that the British Government has not desired or did not desire to care for captured relics of the war, and that some were allowed to become the property of individuals. As noted, the flag of the Chesapeake was sold at public auction; was purchased by a native born American, who, self-expatriated, is now a British subject; and was presented by him to the British United Service Museum.
There are other relics of the Chesapeake-Shannon fight in this collection; Exhibit No. 532, "Signal Book of the American Frigate Chesapeake, with bullets attached to it for the purpose of sinking it in the event of the capture of the ship; together with a packet of papers relating thereto; given by Sir John Barrow, Bart. F. R. S." The capture of the signal book was reported by Lieut. G. Budd, U. S. N., the senior surviving officer of the Chesapeake, in a letter to the Department, dated Halifax, June 13, 1813; in which it is stated, in effect: "The signal book was not thrown overboard, and this book, with letters and papers belonging to Captain Lawrence, was taken. Immediately after the arrival of the prize at Halifax, the Brig Nova Scotia sailed for England with despatches, and there is no doubt the signal book was sent over by this vessel." Probably the signal book and papers (Exhibit 532) are those to which the report of Lieut. Budd refers. Exhibit 531, "Walking stick made out of the taffrail of H. M. S. Shannon, shot away during the action with the American Frigate Chesapeake. This relic formerly belonged to Mr. D. Ramsey, who served as baker's boy on board the Shannon." Exhibit 535, "Head of boarding pike, used in the action between the American Frigate Chesapeake, and H. M. S. Shannon." Whether' from accident or design, to Exhibit 531 (walking stick) is attached, in the catalogue, the English version of the engagement, a statement which, moderate in its tone, pays tribute to the gallantry of the Chesapeake's defenders.
From the information obtained, it is apparent that these relics were at one time in the possession of individuals and were not deemed to be government property. Considering this, would not the British government return the flag when adequate representations are submitted? It is believed the donor of the relic would not object to the action of the government.
The possession of the flag appears. desirable for us—not to revive sad, and in some details mortifying, recollections, but as an object lesson, "Lest we forget." To the American student of our history there may be a ray of comfort regarding this engagement in the statement of Lieut. Budd,'U. S. N., commanding the first Gun Division, and, as noted, the senior surviving officer of the Chesapeake. Lieut. Budd testified, before the Court of Inquiry, "The Chesapeake was never surrendered, the colors were hauled down by the enemy, and the ship was defended and guns fired after the colors were lowered." Further solace may be found in the opinion of the Court of Inquiry, of which Commodore Bainbridge was President: "The Court cannot, however, perceive in the almost unexampled occurrence of disastrous circumstances that the National Flag has suffered any dishonor from the capture of the U. S. Frigate Chesapeake, by the superior force of the British Frigate Shannon of fifty-two carriage guns, and 396 men. Nor does the Court apprehend that the result of this engagement will in the least discourage our brave seamen from meeting an enemy, hereafter, on equal terms." There is neither desire nor intention of renewing the controversy regarding the relative forces of the two vessels, but it does seem apparent that preparedness had much to do with the short engagement and decisive victory. Defeats are depressing, but in the light of other days defeats have been compelling forces, properly applied, that led to ultimate success. "Watson, in his inimitable "Story of France," tells of Charlemagne, the "towering figure" whose very defeats were made glorious in song and story. "No great ruler ever waged more wars, won more battles, or died more victorious. Yet of all the battles, we know the most of Roncesvalles, the bloody skirmish where the Basques rushed from the mountain passes and cut down his rear guard in the Pyrenees. The poets took possession of the field, and have used it ever since, consecrating it to the memory of the brave—to Roland the matchless and all like him—who died for honor and the King." The Chesapeake-Shannon engagement is history teaching by example, a convincing confirmation of the value of thorough preparedness. The Chesapeake's sacred flag should be consecrated to the memory of the brave who died for country and honor. Perhaps more than the desire to obtain the flag as an object lesson, is the sentiment that this is, probably, the only existing naval flag of fifteen strips; not in itself a perfect specimen, but sufficiently so to show what the flag was.
From May 1st, 1795, until July 4th, 1818, the flag of the United States, by act of Congress, contained fifteen stripes and fifteen stars. Under this flag of fifteen stripes were fought the wars with France, 1798-1800; with Tripoli, 1891-1815; and with Great Britain, 1812-1815. Ships of our navy flew this flag in the many engagements that have made history of imperishable glory. What has been done to preserve the records of this banner, or to teach the many generations of native-born Americans that the flag of our country was ever other than the existing one of thirteen stripes? Not only has due honor to this flag of many victories been neglected, but also national exhibits and official documents have been so carelessly prepared and issued that actual historical facts have been misrepresented. Even the arrangement of the fifteen stars in the union is a subject of controversy not yet determined. On the commission given to "The Father of His Country," as Lieutenant General and Commander-in-Chief of all the armies of the United States, dated July 4, 1798, and signed by President John Adams, appears a representation of the national flag, which under the existing law comprised fifteen stars, and fifteen stripes. The union contains fourteen stars of equal size arranged in a circle, with a larger star (completing the fifteen) in the center. Commissions of this series with the engraving of the flag, as described, were issued to officers as late as the early part of the nineteenth century. In the Smithsonian Institution is preserved the flag flown over Fort McHenry at Baltimore during the engagement in September, 1814, the sight of which inspired the never-to-be-forgotten "Star-Spangled Banner." This histor ical banner is placed in a glass case, but the dimensions of the flag
are so large that the details are not shown, but are supplied by a
photograph, showing the arrangement of the stars. There are
also shown, in the Smithsonian, political campaign flags of the period on which the stars are arranged in the fourteen-starred
circle with the larger central star. It is understood that Kentucky
has this banner as a state flag, the change from the thirteen stars
and thirteen stripes being due to the admission of Vermont in 1791, and Kentucky in 1792. Admiral Preble, in his "History of the Flag of the United States," and Mr. Harrison, in "The History of the Stars and Stripes," unite in stating that "authorities generally agree in stating that the stars were arranged in three parallel lines of five stars each." The flag of Fort McHenry has the stars arranged in five parallel lines, three stars in each line, but staggered and not vertically under each other. Preble is responsible for the statement and picture of a flag of a portion of the period (1793-1818) carried by naval vessels, on which the fifteen stars are arranged in four parallel lines, four in the first, second and fourth, and three in the third line. The arrangement of the union of the Chesapeake's flag approaches this, but is not exactly the same.
In the Capitol at Washington, at the head of a much-used stairway is a large painting of The Battle of Lake Erie, a picture masterly in conception, and thrillingly beautiful in execution. The artist, Mr. Powell, has chosen for this masterpiece the memorable incident of the battle when Commodore Perry changed his flag from the disabled Lawrence to the Niagara. Probably a lack of professional knowledge, on the part of the artist, accounts for the carrying of the national flag in the bow of the boat in lieu of the service custom of shipping it astern. The flag is clearly depicted, each star, and each stripe, is distinctly shown; but, alas for historical accuracy, it is a flag of thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. This was not the flag of our country at the time, as the fifteenstriped flag had then (1813) been in existence for over eighteen years. The picture was painted in 1873, and the artist must needs have made some search to obtain data for a flag with thirteen stars; it is to be regretted that the search was not further continued, so that historical accuracy, in detail, was assured. Thousands of visitors see this picture annually; for a graphic description of this glorious engagement there could be no better view-point, where so many inquiring citizens seek information. Whether one in a thousand notes or does not note the error, the fact that the error exists remains the same.
In 1899, the Bureau of Equipment issued an edition of "The Flags of Maritime Nations," an official publication which up to this time is the only flag-book supplied vessels of the service. The edition is now obsolete, and many of the plates in the book are in error, but there appears on page 6, under title "Memoranda Relating to the Flag and Seal of the United States," par. 6, the following statement: "In consequence of the admission of Vermont in 1791, and Kentucky in 1792, an act was passed as follows: Be it enacted, etc., That from and after the first day of May, 1795, the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be fifteen stars, white in a blue field.'" Of course the error is due to careless proofreading; still, this book was the official reference flag-book for years, has not been replaced, and, so far as can be found out, the error has not been corrected. Mr. Barnes, in his "Naval Actions of the War of 1812," presents on page 62 a picture of "The Macedonian. Crossing the Bows of the United States," and from the peak of the latter vessel flies, clear in all details, a flag of thirteen stripes; thus is history recorded.
The conviction exists that the flag of the Chesapeake would be desirable to have, to enable us to assist in the education of Americans in the history of the flag. This conviction may be emotional, but it is believed, nevertheless, to be sincere. The British, more than any other nation, guard as a sacred trust the relics that are interwoven historically and sentimentally with the records of the Empire. England would understand the sentiment that would prompt the request for the flag of the Chesapeake.
There is at the Naval Academy a British royal standard, taken by one of the officers of the squadron commanded by Commodore Chauncey, from York (Toronto), when a combined army and naval force descended upon that place during the war of 1812. This standard was given to the commodore by the officer making the capture, and was forwarded to the Department. Tradition has it that this is the only British royal standard ever captured. Honorable exchanges have ever been regarded with favor. Can we not exchange the only British royal standard ever captured for the flag of the only frigate ever captured from us in single combat?
In 1914, is to be celebrated the centenary anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, to commemorate the peace of one hundred years between the two great English-speaking nations. It has even been proposed to erect in Westminster Abbey a monument to General Washington. Could there be a more appropriate occasion on which to exchange the flags, to cement further the friendship of the two nations by permitting each to come into its own?
The steps taken by some states to introduce and require, in the public schools, a study of the history of the flag are certainly moves in the right direction, to encourage patriotism and a love of the flag.
There have been born in our country ten consecutive generations of Americans, indicative of future happenings. Unless accuracy obtains in the dissemination of history, the fact that we ever had a flag of fifteen stripes will be forgotten. The navy can assist materially in this desirable educational campaign. Should we be fortunate enough to get the flag of the Chesapeake, direct that it be sent to the Naval Academy and carefully preserved. Require each student to make a sketch of this historical relic; it will never be forgotten. Have written a short, concise, and, above all, accurate History of the Flag; all could be compiled in a small pamphlet. Require further, that this history be taught and recited upon in the course of studies. Two, or at the most three, periods would suffice, and the time would be well spent.
Youth is impressionable, and the student midshipman cannot fail to be impressed by "glorious associations woven round the nation's flag; the memories that it will bring to him of great things accomplished, and great deeds done under its folds, by heroes past and present—the nation's flag and all it stands for, and for which thousands have fought, and died to win."
Do this, and though belated, we shall at least begin to show a nation's devoted respect to the fifteen-striped flag of glorious memories.