46 SACHSE — AN OLD BROADSIDE. [Jan. 21, 



which was prevalent in Germany at the period, when every petty- 

 princeling in that divided country aimed to maintain a court pat- 

 terned after that of Louis XV of France. 



We now come to the description of this symbolical relic as set 

 forth in the broadside, and it is the fervent wish of the writer that 

 this paper may be the means of bringing to light, or at least locating, 

 one of these handkerchiefs of the Revolutionary period, should one 

 have survived. 



From the detailed description it appears that the handkerchief or 

 serviette was of silk. In the centre was a rattlesnake, divided into 

 thirteen parts, whereof the last part or tail end was supposed to be 

 in a state of accretion, a prophetic allusion since realized. This 

 symbol referred to the thirteen American Colonies then struggling 

 for independence. It was patterned after one which appeared in 

 Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette as early as 1754, when he printed 

 in his paper the cut of a severed snake and the motto, " Unite or 

 Die," to show the necessity of Colonial union against the French 

 and Indians. In 1775 this emblem was printed at the head of the 

 Pennsylvania Jom'nal, and the idea of the resemblance between the 

 Colonies and the rattlesnake was often brought up in the literature 

 of the day. 



The name of one of the different Colonies appeared over each 

 segment. The broadside further goes on to state that this peculiar 

 reptile was chosen as the symbol of the new nation because it was 

 held to be the noblest of its genus : it never strikes without first 

 giving due warning to its enemies, and for this reason, says the 

 broadside, it has been emblazoned upon the arms and flags of the 

 American Provinces. The word Provinces evidently refers to such 

 provincial flags as bore a rattlesnake upon their folds. The most 

 noted one of this series was the celebrated flag of Paul Jones, with its 

 warning motto, " Don't Tread on Me." 



Within the circle formed upon the handkerchief by the seg- 

 ments of a divided rattlesnake was portrayed a large globe upon a 

 pedestal, so turned as to show North America. Within the outlines 

 of the continent was prominently displayed a portrait of Benjamin 

 Franklin, Ambassador at th^ Court of France, beneath which 

 appeared the legend, ''The Wonder of Our Times." Above this 

 portrait appeared the throne of Congress, together with the Book of 

 the Law and a drawn sword, symbolizing the supreme power. Upon 

 the pages of tliis book were inscribed, Les Treize Provinces Unies 



