US ''Free Trade and Sailor's Rights'' Pennant

By Crusader1307

Another oft discussed “Flag” was the 1812-15 “Free Trade and Sailors Rights” Pennant. A standard White “Naval” Pennant, the phrase (mentioned) was emblazoned across length wise. The Flag represented the feelings of US Military Veterans of The American Revolution towards the “causes” of The War of 1812. England had started to “ignore” American Merchant and Shipping rights on The “High Seas” - often boarding American ships and both confiscating goods AND American Sailors (who were then “Pressed” into Royal Naval service. First flown on The USS “Chesapeake” in 1813, several other US Ships (which had old War “Veterans”) were known to use the Pennant.