W. W. Carter to Richard Yates

The heel of The Old Flag-staff shall bruise the Rattlesnake's head!

Baltimore Sept. 15. 1862.

His Excy, The Governor of Illinois!

Sir!

On the 7th ulto. I placed in the hands of the President of the U.S. in the Executive Chamber, at Washington, a small silken Union Flag, very handsomely gotten up, bearing, in letters of gold, the motto conceived by myself, that stands at the head of this page.

The presentation was accompanied by a letter explanatory of the motto, and at the same time requesting that the flag might be placed in the War Department, in order that the motto might be incorporated into our national faith during the present struggle for

the supremacy of the Constitution and the Laws, and the perpetuity of our inestimable nationality. The letter embraced much that this one does, and was deemed by the President, in his written reply, as "earnest and patriotic."

The motto, your Excellency will observe, is National, Symbolic, and Prophetic. The heel of The Old Flag-staff represents the power of the Federal Government; the Rattlesnake's head represents the rebellion inaugurated by South Carolina, the symbol of whose sovereignty is that vicious reptile; and the declaration of enmity between the heel and the head is prophetic of the absolute power and inflexible determination of the Federal Government to crush out the rebellion at any and every cost commensurate with the life of the nation.

Let the motto then be inscribed upon the flaunting banners of our advancing

armies; let it be spread before the public eye, and thundered into the public ear at all the loyal gatherings of the people; let it stimulate the heart of the nation all over the land, and finally let it be the battle-cry for the Union until The Flag of our Country shall again be planted upon every mountain-top, and its musical flutterings again be borne upon every passing breeze.

I have taken the liberty of thus addressing your Excellency for the purpose of introducing to your notice the motto herein referred to, for such consideration as you may be pleased to bestow upon it.

I remain, with the highest regard,

Your Excy's. Obt. Servt.

W. W. Carter

W. W. Carter

Baltimore Sept 15-62

Presents the Gov. with the motto. "The heel of the old Flag staff shall bruise the Rattlesnakes head"