February 21, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
The Flag which we will display this morning from our office, is a present to THE MERCURY. In order to have it properly displayed, we have had erected a staff twenty six feet high, from the roof of our office, from which elevation it will be thrown to the breeze this morning. In size it is 12 by 16 feet – a blue field, with white palmetto and crescent, as prescribed by the General Assembly. Below the tree is inscribed in white letters the words ‘THE MERCURY.’ This elegant Flag was manufactured by Messrs. BEE & SILCOX, ship chandlers, and the design is beautifully executed. We shall take particular pains to preserve it as a memento of the times.