January 28, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
On Saturday last both Houses of the General Assembly finally concurred in the design of the flag which is hereafter to represent the Sovereign State of South Carolina. The field is dark blue. Upon the upper inner corner of the flag is the crescent, in white, the horns pointing upward. In the middle of the flag is an oval, in white, emblazoned with a golden palmetto, upright. The cut we present will give an idea of the proportions of the new ensign.