DEPARTMENT OF STATE Richmond, May 13, 1863. Sir: I have the honor herewith to transmit a correct design of the Confederate States flag, made at the Engineers Bureau, and a copy of the act of Congress by which it was established. Respectfully, your obedient servant, ~ ~. ~ Hon. JAMES M. MASON, etc., Secretary of State. London.

ACT OF CONGRESS ADOPTING THE FLAG. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact,

That the flag of the Confederate States shall be as follows: The field to be white, the length double the width of the flag, with the union (now used as the battle flag) to be of a square of two-thirds the width of the flag, having the ground red, thereon a broad saltier of blue, bordered with white and emblazoned with mullets or five-pointed stars. corresponding in number to that of the Confederate States.