Flag Committee

             A committee of the Louisiana State Convention, appointed to prepare a flag and seal for that State, thus expressed their opinion of that Pelican which had so long been the cherished emblem of Louisiana: "On consultation, and especially -with those descended from the ancient colonists of the country, the Committee found that what has been considered the symbol of Louisiana, commands neither their favor nor their affection. The pelican is in form unsightly, in habits filthy, in nature cowardly." The Committee also learned from Audubon, to their amazement, that the story of the pelican's feeding its young with its own blood is, in expressive phrase, “gammon." Therefore they did not commend this water-fowl as a fit subject for their flag, but rather as one of loathing and contumely.

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