Today's History Lesson: The Gadsden Flag

I finally fulfilled my too-long search for a Gadsden Flag on July 3. There’s a flag shop at 85/Cass here in Omaha that had one. I am now a happy Freedom Fiend as the yellow rattler flies beneath the Stars and Stripes outside The Shack.

My madre-in-law was confused by the “weird” flag. She quietly as Mizz Merchant what the heck that yellow thing was. Sadly, I was not asked as I love to explain the history of the beloved symbol.

So, since she didn't give me the chance.....


The Gadsden Flag:
Also known as a Hopkins Flag or the “Don’t Tread on Me” Flag.

In the Revolutionary War era, the rattlesnake was a commonly used symbol. The most likely source of this symbol stems from a suggestion by inventor, statesman, playboy, and all-around good guy Benjamin Franklin.

Ben, in response to Britain’s ever-increasing habit of sending it’s convicts to the Colonies, suggested we return the favor by sending back a native creature as a way of showing our esteem. He chose an Eastern Rattlesnake.

Years later, during the French-Indian War, Franklin printed what many consider the first editorial cartoon. He drew, carved, and printed a snake cut into 8 sections, roughly shaped like the 8 colonies of the time. Out of the snake’s mouth came the words “Unite or Die.”

The rattler was further cemented as an American icon by an anonymous essay written “An American Guesser.”

This unnamed essayist figured that the rattler was as good a symbol of America as any other. In fact, he thought, it was perfect.

His words (courtesy of Wikipedia)

I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids—She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.—She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.—As if anxious to prevent all pretentions of quarrelling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenceless animal; and even when those weapons are shewn and extended for her defence, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:—Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.—Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America?

Many scholars now agress that “An American Guesser” was none other than Ben Franklin.

The flag now bears the name of Col. Christopher Gadsden, and to tell his tale I turn to the fine folks at interesting.com:

Although Benjamin Franklin helped create the American rattlesnake symbol, his name isn't generally attached to the rattlesnake flag. The yellow "don't tread on me" standard is usually called a Gadsden flag, or less commonly, a Hopkins flag.

These two individuals were mulling about Philadelphia at the same time, making their own important contributions to American history and the history of the rattlesnake flag.

Christopher Gadsden was an American patriot if ever there was one. He led Sons of Liberty in South Carolina starting in 1765, and was later made a colonel in the Continental Army. In 1775 he was in Philadelphia representing his home state in the Continental Congress. He was also one of three members of the Marine Committee who decided to outfit and man the Alfred and its sister ships.

Gadsden and Congress chose a Rhode Island man, Esek Hopkins, as the commander-in-chief of the Navy. The flag that Hopkins used as his personal standard on the Alfred is the one we would now recognize. It's likely that John Paul Jones, as the first lieutenant on the Alfred, ran it up the gaff.

It's generally accepted that Hopkins' flag was presented to him by Christopher Gadsden, who felt it was especially important for the commodore to have a distinctive personal standard. Gadsden also presented a copy of this flag to his state legislature in Charleston. This is recorded in the South Carolina congressional journals:

"Col. Gadsden presented to the Congress an elegant standard, such as is to be used by the commander in chief of the American navy; being a yellow field, with a lively representation of a rattle-snake in the middle, in the attitude of going to strike, and these words underneath, "Don't Tread on Me!"

The modern interpretation of the flag differs little, just the target of citizens’ frustrations has changed. Instead of a despotic king who is exercising too much power over our lives, it is an increasingly powerful and intrusive government. Today. the flag is flown to remind people of the tyranny that this nation was forged in. It serves to remind us that freedom, much like the Diamondback, Timber, and Eastern Rattlesnake is American born and bred.

Finally, Chris Whitten best sums up the contemporary meaning of the Gadsden Flag in his 7/5/01 essay (updated in 2002) courtesy of FoundingFathers.info.

I like seeing all the American flags. I do have my complaints about the American government, especially about how intimately the Washington D.C. politicians feel they should be involved in the daily lives of their subjects, I mean, citizens. But the flag isn't just a symbol of the American government. It's a symbol of shared American values -- especially our highest common value: freedom.

When it comes to symbolizing freedom and the spirit of '76, I do think there's a better American flag. With all due respect to the Stars and Stripes, I prefer the yellow Gadsden flag with the coiled rattlesnake and the defiant Don't Tread on Me motto.

The meaning of Old Glory can get mixed up with the rights and wrongs of the perpetually new-and-improved government. The meaning of "Don't Tread on Me" is unmistakable.

Indeed it is, Chris.

Stay safe;

xxxJM24xxx