Description:

Porter David 1813 - 1891 Admiral Porter thanks W.W. Carter for his patriotic motto (The Heel of the Old Flag-Staff Shall Bruise the Rattlesnake's Head) - a year earlier, President Lincoln had thanked Carter for the motto on an "elegant and ingenious flag" - the motto was displayed at the 1864 Baltimore Convention which nominated Lincoln for a second term.

Civil-war date Manuscript Letter Signed "David D. Porter" as Rear Admiral, 2 page, 7.75" x 9.75", front & verso with blank integral leaf bearing light offset from Porter;'s signature (letter folded before ink dried). To W.W. Carter Esq., Baltimore, Md. Mississippi Squadron, Flag Ship 'Black Hawk," Cairo [Illinois], September 29, 1863. Fine condition.

In part, "I have received your communication of August 20, containing the patriotic motto, which has deservedly elicited the beautiful remark from one of the most loyal gentlemen in this Union, Mr. Holt. Though I do not know him personally, I much admire him, and am satisfied that his appreciation of your motto is the best compliment that could be paid.

"There is no doubt left in my mind, but that 'the heel of the old flag-staff will bruise the rattlesnake's head', and cut off the Copperhead's tail, pluck out his fangs and render him harmless. Until our Country however, is united at home, and the Government receives the hearty support of every one who professes to be a Union man, we need never expect to crush the Rattlesnake's head. The part I have taken in this rebellion is dictated by but one feeling, a love of the Union under which this country enjoyed more blessings than any other country under the canopy of heaven - and I would hang every traitor who helped to pull down and dishonor our glorious old flag, and try to bring us to a level of the Mexican states..."

Kentucky-born Joseph Holt practiced law in Mississippi before the Civil War. He served as Buchanan's Postmaster General and as his last Secretary of War, January 18 - March 3, 1861. Anti-slavery and a supporter of the Union, in 1862, Holt was appointed Judge Advocate General of the Union Army.

W.W. Carter's Patriotic Motto:

"THE HEEL OF THE OLD FLAG-STAFF SHALL BRUISE THE RATTLESNAKE'S HEAD!"

mentioning the endorsement by Holt and Porter and thanks from President Lincoln

From The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events edited by Frank Moore (New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1868" ): "Document 96: THE HEEL OF THE OLD FLAG-STAFF SHALL BRUISE THE RATTLESNAKE'S HEAD! Across the front of the stand of the National Union Ratification Meeting, held in Baltimore in June, 1864, for the purpose of ratifying the nominations of the candidates for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of the United States [Lincoln & Johnson], was displayed the above thoroughly national motto, conceived by Mr. W. W. Carter of that city, in March, 1862, and which he afterward had inscribed upon a handsome silken Union flag, which he presented to President Lincoln in the following August, accompanied by a letter requesting:

"That the flag might be deposited in the War Department, in order that the motto might be incorporated into the national faith during the present struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution and the Laws, and the perpetuity of our nationality. The motto is national, symbolic, and prophetic. The Heel of the Old Flag-Staff represents 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 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 Anally, 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. Yea I until 'O'er all the cities and forts once more, The Stars and Stripes we shall restore.'"

"The sentiment, with its accompanying remarks, have been most heartily endorsed by a large number of the Governors of the loyal States, to whom they have been submitted, as - well as by Hon. Edward Everett, Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, Hon. Joseph Holt, and Commodores Porter, Dahlgren, and others."

President Abraham Lincoln's letter to W.W. Carter: "Executive Mansion, August 8, 1862. Allow me to thank you very cordially for the elegant and ingenious flag which you have had the kindness to send me, and for the earnest and patriotic letter by which is was accompanied."

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000