Keywords: Samuel Reid proposed national standard.jpg flag Sketch made by Samuel Chester Reid in 1850 in a letter to his son showing his proposed design for a national standard to be used on ceremonial occasions such as inaugurations This was reminiscent of the British royal standard and had four quarters one with the stars on a blue background another with the coat of arms on a white background another with the Goddess of Liberty on a white background and the last with the 13 red and white stripes Other accounts of the Congressional committee describe the eagle and goddess quarters as being switched from this sketch and also describe the intended use as being solely for the President; perhaps they were changed in discussions before being dropped altogether This flag was never seriously considered by the committee; only Reid's suggestion to use thirteen stripes and have stars for every state was used in the Flag Act of 1818 which is still the current definition File Samuel Reid proposed U S Flag designs jpg http //www loc gov/exhibits/treasures/trm098 html direct image URL http //www loc gov/exhibits/treasures/images/vc26 7p4 jpg Library of Congress Manuscript Division 26 7 page 4 1850-02-17 Samuel Chester Reid <gallery>File Proposed US Presidential Flag 1817 jpg Version drawn in 1872</gallery> PD-old Flag of the President of the United States 94 Proposed flags |