Description

African-American man attempting to stop George Washington's son [Artist apparently did not realize that George Washington had no children of his own. He had two stepchildren, but the stepson was not named George either.] from removing the American flag from a flagpole. The African-American man is saying I wouldn't pull down dat flag, Massa George; you will nebber forgib yerself as long as you lib, if you do. Dem stars were intended to be 'fixed,' and not moved round. I recollect the time when it had only thirteen, and hab watched it grow jus like my own chile. Your fader honored and respected it, and would hab died protecting it: derefore, Massa, if you hab any respeck for de memory ob your fader, who is dead an' gone, run up dat flag agin, give tree cheers for de Union, and let's keep up next Fourth of July in de old fashioned way.\. The words \Entered according to act of Congress, by John G. Wells, in 1861, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York.\ appear below the image.\Illustrated Civil War envelopes with patriotic symbols, slogans and cartoons, mostly Northern, including a few Southern ones.

Record Contributed By

Georgetown University Library

Record Harvested From

District Digital