EEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1913. 47 



of New York, between 1838 and 1840, and presented by the Rev. 

 Augustus Smith, through Mr. Robert A. Smith, of Washington. 

 The other was a combined bass drum and cymbal pedal beater, the 

 gift of Mr. George Wilham Reiser, of Baltimore. 



History. — While the exceptional record of 1912 failed to be equaled 

 last year, the number and value of the accessions in the division of 

 history, and especially of permanent ones, was weU above the average. 

 It is most gratifying to announce the acquisition in perpetuity by the 

 Nation of the flag that flew over Fort McHenry during its successful 

 defense against the British fleet on September 13 and 14, 1814, and 

 immortahzed as "The Star-Spangled Banner" by the inspired verses 

 of Francis Scott Key. This rehc of the gallant fight, which led to the 

 brevetting as Heutenant colonel of the commanding officer, Maj. 

 George Armistead, U. S. Army, was preserved by him and descended 

 to his grandson, Mr. Eben Appleton, of New York City, who con- 

 sented in 1907 to its exhibition by the National Museum. During 

 the past year this loan was made a gift to the Museum, for which 

 patriotic action the pubUc owes to Mr. Appleton a lasting debt of 

 gratitude. The flag derives an additional interest from the fact 

 that it is one of the few in existence having 15 stars and 15 stripes. 

 Being greatly frayed and torn, it requires the support of a canvas 

 backing, but by careful attention its preservation should be insured 

 for aU time. It has occupied a conspicuous place in the main hall of 

 history since it was first received, but is deserving of a more appro- 

 priate setting than it has at present, one in which the entire width of 

 the bimting can be shown. 



Another important loan that was changed to a gift during the year 

 consists of a bronze cannon with its wooden carriage, brought to 

 America by Lafayette and used by the allied forces during the War 

 of the American Revolution, at the close of which it was presented by 

 Lafayette to Col. John Cropper of the Continental Army. The 

 Museum has received it from Mrs. John Cropper, of Washington. 

 Also dating from the same period is a dress sword and scabbard 

 which was presented to Col. Return Jonathan Meigs of the Continental 

 Army by act of Congress of July 25, 1777, in recognition of dis- 

 tinguished service during an expedition in that year to Long Island; 

 and likewise a pair of silver knee buckles worn by Maj. Gen. Richard 

 Montgomery, of the Continental Army, at the time of the attack on 

 Quebec, December 31, 1775, and presented shortly before his death 

 to his friend Col. Meigs. Both of these relics were donated by Mr. 

 Return Jonathan Meigs, of Washington, the fourth in line of this 

 name. The Washburn family of New England is represented by an 

 interesting collection of memorials, including an antique pew-chair 

 owTied during the colonial period by Leah Fobes Washburn ; a tile 

 from the ruins of Evesham Abbey, England, bearing the arms of the 

 32377»— NAT Mus 1913 4 



