18th-Century American Women Present Flags & Banners to Soldiers on the 4th of July

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Although privileged young American women in the 18th-century often received elocution lessons, speaking in a public forum was generally left to men. Occasionally, women found opportunities to speak. The 4th of July was one of these occasions.

Presenting flags & banners to their local militia was a popular form of expression of patriotism by women in early America providing them the opportunity to express their sentiments regarding the importance of liberty & freedom. In an article titled “Spirit of the Ladies!” published by the editor of the Gazette in Portland, Maine, on 16 July 1798, 1, the role of women as an inspiration to the men serving their country was expressed:

"The American Fair, add much to the spirit of the times. In different parts of the Union they have presented the American standard to the Volunteer corps. This must have a charming influence to animate the breasts of our young soldiers. The idea of acting under the standard of our country, thus presented, with a reliance on our bravery, will excite the utmost vigor of our nerves, and inspire us with an honorable pride, that will never suffer them to be torn from our hands. Yes, ye fair! these sacred pledges of your patriotism must be maintained; and the sons of Columbia will no longer merit your favors, than they are ready and able to defend and protect you, and their country."

On July 4, 1798, Sally Duane presented a standard & addressed Macpherson’s Blues in Philadelphia.

"To General Macpherson: Impelled by far more laudable considerations than a desire to distinguish myself, permit me, through you, to present to the corps, under your command, a standard, which I hope they will deem worthy their acceptance, from the motives inducing the tender, however imperfect may be the execution of the work. Although ardently attached to the state in which I was born, from habits of early affection, yet patriotism extends my best wishes to all the meritorious citizens of our nation. Thos composing your corps are among the first who, by their exemplary virtue, have entitled themselves to the gratitude of every heart warmed with the love of our common country; and from whom should they receive more sincere testimonies of our approbation than from those of our sex? On the bravery of yours, we depend for protection. We can only oppose with our prayers, or indignantly, though fruitlessly, bewail with our tears, national insults or misfortunes. By your spirit and prowess, under the protection of Heaven, you can avert or avenge them. The art in which I am receiving instruction for amusement, cannot be employed to better purpose than in endeavours to decorate the ensigns devoted to merit and to patriotism. Happy shall we all be, if the art you are now learning be acquired merely as a necessary part of the education of free citizens, determined to defend their liberties and their laws. I fervently pray the Benign Disposer of the fate of nations to avert the hard necessity of its being brought into practice. Should he permit the angel of destruction to fill up the measure of their iniquities by guiding to our peaceful shores the enemies of our happiness, and of the peace and tranquility of the world, I shall tremblingly deprecate the occasion; but I confidently anticipate a consolation under so cruel a calamity, in the glory you and the rest of my fellow citizens will achieve, when before the foes of our beloved country, this banner shall be unfurled."
See: Claypoole’s Daily American Advertiser, 10 July 1798, 2; New York Gazette,12 July 1798, 3; Spectator, 14 July 1798, 4; Salem Gazette, 17 July 1798, 3; Newburyport Herald, 24 July 1798, 208; Connecticut Gazette, 8 August 1798, 1.

In the same year, the Newport, Rhode Island Companion and Commercial Gazette reported, "The military arrangements being formed by Major Marsh, as officer of the day. The following parade took place; a detachment was directed from Captain Reynold's Grenadiers, under the command of Lieutenant Ducan, to receive the standard of the 54th Regiment, from the hands of Miss Simons, who on presenting it, delivered the following address:

"Sir, having the honor of delivering to your hands this standard to-day, I am encouraged to hope and believe, that it will always be supported and protected in the sacred cause of freedom, by the patriotism and gallantry of the officer to whose charge it is assigned; and although the needle work will, in time, lose its brilliancy and fade, I cannot harbour the most distant thought, that this banner of 54th regiment of the Norfolk borough militia, will ever be tarnished in its military glory, or unfurl'd in any cause save that of the constituted liberties of the free Citizens of the United States of America."

Zilpah Wadsworth, the mother of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, presented a standard from the women of Portland, Maine, to the Portland Federal Volunteers, Capt. Joseph C. Boyd, commander, "who made their first public appearance in a very rich uniform." Zilpah Wadsworth declared:

"In the name of the young ladies of Portland, I have the honor to present this standard, to the first company of Federal Volunteers. Receive it as a testimony of the approbation with which we have beheld the patriotic spirit which has determined you to 'Defend the laws, of your country.' We cheerfully confide to your care this emblem of our independence. Let it ever recal to your minds the assurance that our best wishes are for your success. Long may you unfurl it; long may this towering eagle fly triumphant!"

To which Ensign Richard C. Wiggins of the Portland Federal Volunteers replied:

"Daughters of Columbia, in behalf of the first Company of Federal Volunteers, permit me to assure you, that we are happy in meriting this valuable present which I have the honour of receiving from your fair hands. Nothing could inspire us with more ambition to "defend the laws" of our country, than this act of patriotic heroism; therefore, we shall ever consider it as the greatest emblem of our independence, and of female patriotism--the rememberance of which will not suffer us to part with it, unless with our lives, nor suffer a single plume to be plucked from the wings of the eagle, by any foreign or domestic power, unless with the blood of our hearts--that its independent flight may declare to proud and haughty Europe...while we are blessed with such politicians, as a Adams in the cabinet, and such warriors as a Washington to lead in the field."
See: Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser, 8 July 1799, 4.

Thank you to James R. Heintze, American University, Washington DC. for his tireless research on the hisory of the 4th of July, which he shares online & in his books. 
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