The Newport Gazette

Extracts from Rebel Papers:

DESCRIPTION OF THE AMERICAN STANDARD.

The colours of the American fleet have a snake with thirteen rattles, the fourteenth budding, described in the attitude of going to strike, with this motto, DON'T TREAD ON ME. It is a fable in heraldry that the worthy properties of the animal in the shield should be considered, and the base ones cannot be intended. The ancients accounted a snake a species of wisdom, and, in certain attitudes, of endless duration. The rattlesnake is properly a Representative of America, and is found in no other part of the world. The name of this creature excels in brightness most of any other animal. She has no eye lids, and is therefore an emblem of vigilance. She never begins an attack, nor ever surrenders; she is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. When injured, or in danger of being injured, she never wounds till she has given notice to her adversary of their danger. No other of her kind shows such generosity; when undisturbed, and in peace, she does not appear to be furnished with weapons of any kind. They are latent in the roof of her mouth, and even when extended for her defence, appear to those who are not acquainted with her to be weak and contemptible; yet her wounds however small, are deadly and fatal. She is solitary and associates with her kind only when it is necessary for their preservation. Her poison is at once the necessary means of digesting her food, and certain destruction to her enemies. The power of fascination attributed to her by a generous construction, resembles America. Those who look steadily on her are delighted; and involuntarily advance towards her; and having once approached, never leave her. She is frequently found with thirteen rattles and they increase yearly. She is beautiful in youth, and her beauty increases with her age. Her tongue is blue and forked like the lightning.