[36] In 1776 was adopted the standard to be used by the commander-in-chief of the American navy, “being a yellow field, with a lively representation of a rattlesnake in the middle, in the attitude of striking;” underneath were the words, “_Don’t tread on me_.” The same year the cruisers of the colony of Massachusetts hoisted a white flag, with a green pine-tree and the motto, “_Appeal to Heaven_.” [37] The author is indebted for the chief sources of information contained in this table, to that admirable and useful annual entitled “The Old Franklin Almanac,” a title as modest as its contents are useful and instructing. It should be found in every house. [38] This article appeared about the time Judge McLean was a candidate for the Presidency, and was brought out to bear upon his success. There is no denying the fact but what there was more truth than poetry in the charges. [39] A man by the name of Carroll, residing in Charleston, South Carolina, was accused of being intimate with slaves, and also as a receiver of stolen goods, particularly the article of cotton. He was dragged from his house (August, 1835), and received twenty lashes; he was then stripped from his waist upwards, tarred and feathered; he was then marched in procession through the streets and lodged in the jail; he was also compelled to leave the city. The law, it seemed, sanctioned the action of the mob; for he was actually received in the prison from this self-constituted authority. [40] Constitution of the United States, art. ii. sect. 2. [41] This took place on the 1st of July, 1857, by which the mails were to be conveyed between Washington and New Orleans in four days and a half, by way of Richmond and Lynchburg, Virginia, Bristol, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Grand Junction, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi,—all by railroad, with the exception of a gap of ninety miles in Mississippi. [42] See Addenda. [43] The postal money-order system was approved by Congress, May 17, 1864. It went into operation July 4, 1864. [44] February 1, 1864. [45] Other classes of carriers receive higher salaries and other considerations from the government, which renders the office one of considerable importance, and requiring influence to obtain. [46] At this present writing a soldier who lost a leg at the battle of Gettysburg occupies this position. [47] The returns from 1846 to 1851 are for the six years under the law of March 3, 1845. Those from 1852 to 1863 are under the reduced rates established by the acts of March 3, 1851, and March 3, 1855. [48] Volney. [49] The postal history of Russia, like that of all other countries, is based upon its trade and commerce. Its railroads and canals, running through its vast extent of country, afford equal facility for its mails. Russia has her distributing cars for mails, and from its every post they are rapidly carried throughout the kingdom.