"They sailed from Philadelphia amidst the acclamations of thousands assembled on the joyful occasion, under the display of a Union flag, with thirteen stripes in the field, emblematical of the thirteen United Colonies."[52] [52] American Archives, 4th series, vol. iv. p. 965. And the following extract from a letter, dated New Providence, West Indies, of which Island Admiral Hopkins took prisoner the governor, &c.[53] [53] Ibid. vol. v. p. 823. This letter was kindly furnished by Colonel Peter Force, editor of the _American Archives_, and may be found in the _London Ladies' Magazine_, vol. vii. July 1776, p. 390. "NEW PROVIDENCE, May 18, 1776. "The colors of the American fleet were striped under the _Union_, with thirteen strokes, called the United Colonies, and their standard, a rattlesnake; motto--'Don't tread on me.'" The following extract was furnished by the same gentleman, to whom I cannot too warmly return my thanks for the facilities and assistance he has afforded me. "WILLIAMSBURG, VA., April 10, 1776. "The Roebuck [a British cruiser] has taken two prizes in Delaware Bay, which she decoyed within her reach, by hoisting a _Continental Union Flag_." Reference to this letter not obtained, but in support of its correctness, see affidavit of Mr. Barry, master's mate, ship Grace, captured by the Roebuck, to be found in the _Pennsylvania Evening Post_, June 20, 1776, vol. ii. No. 221. It is unnecessary to multiply proof on this subject. The term _union_, in these accounts, both by American and British writers, at sea and land, by the interpretation we give it, explains and harmonizes all of them. We therefore proceed to consider the other and what may be called the distinctive devices--we mean the stripes on this Continental Union Flag. Under the head of Ensign (_Brande's Dictionary_), we are told: "Men of war carry a red, white, or blue ensign, according to the color of the flag of the admiral." By the 1st Article of the union between England and Scotland, we have seen that the ensigns, both "at sea and land," were to embody the union of the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew conjoined; hence the colors, red, white, &c., only apply to the field of the ensign.