breeches, or pantaloons, white or buff; chosen Lyman Hall (March 21, 1775) to represent them in the Congress, and he took his seat on the third day of the session, but without the privilege of voting. The movements in St. John's soon led to the accession of Georgia to the Continental Union, making the number of colonies that carried on the war thirteen. In the second petition of the Continental Congress to the King (July, 1775), written by John Dickinson, negotiation was thus proffered, according to Duane's proposition: "We beseech your Majesty to direct some mode by which the united applications of your faithful colonists to the throne may be improved into a happy and permanent reconciliation; and that As the Confederates in the mean time measures may be taken for preventing the further destruction of the lives of your Majesty's subjects, and that such statutes as more immediately distress any of your Majesty's colonies may be repealed." This was the first official announcement to the King of the union of the colonies, and their refusal to treat separately confirmed it. It was a great step towards independence. The King could not consistently receive a document from a congress whose legality he denied. They thought to have it received if the members individually signed it. Dickinson believed it would be received. He deplored one word in it-Congressand that proved fatal to it. "It is the only word which I wish altered." he said. “It is the only word I wish to retain,” was the reply of the stanch patriot Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia. Richard Penn, a proprietary of Pennsylvania and recently its governor-a loyal Englishman-was selected to bear this second petition to the throne. During the war between the United States and Spain (1898), and in the subsequent military operations consequent thereon the soldiers were provided with stiff-brim soft hats, leather leggings, and jackets and pantaloons made of khaki, a clay-colored linen cloth first used for military purposes by the British army in India. Union, AMERICAN. The first official intimation that the English-American colonies were politically united was in the following resolution adopted by the Union College, an institution of second Continental Congress, June 7, learning in Schenectady, N. Y.; estab1775: "On motion, resolved, that Thurs- lished by several Christian sects in 1795, day, the 20th of July next, be observed owing to which fact it received its corthroughout the Twelve United Colonies porate name. It was the first non-secas a day of humiliation, fasting, and tarian college founded in the United prayer." After that the term United States. In 1873 the Dudley Observatory, Colonies" was frequently used; and in the the Albany Medical College, and the AlDeclaration of Independence the term bany Law School were united to the col"United States " was first used. Georgia lege, which was then renamed Union Uninot having sent delegates to the first and versity. second congresses, only "twelve " were Union Devices. When the quarrel be alluded to in the expression. The inhabi- tween the British Parliament and the Engtants of St. John's parish, in Georgia, had lish-American colonies became warm, the patriotic newspapers in America, as well warfare, and symbolizing union by grasp as handbills, bore devices emblematic of ing an endless chain. These arms all union. One was especially a favorite came out of the clouds, indicating that namely, a snake, disjointed, each separate their strength was from above. Within part representing one of the thirteen Eng- the chain was a radiant heart, and within lish-American colonies, with the words the heart a lighted candle, denoting the sincerity, truth, rectitude, and divine emotions of those whose hearts were engaged in the cause. Above this device was a balance equipoised, with a naked sword, held in the paw of a lion couchant. The lion symbolized British power; the sword, in that connection, British valor; and the balance, British justice. These the Americans, who were yet a part of the British nation, invoked in aid of their cause. A noon-day sun, shining near, indicated Americans stood manfully, in "Unite or die." This snake device first that the appeared when the Stamp Act excitement broad daylight, before the world in de fence of their rights, and invited the closest scrutiny of their conduct. was at its height. John Holt, the patriotic publisher of the New York Journal, varied it after the adjournment of the first Con- Union-Jack. The original flag of Engtinental Congress in 1774. He had a land was the banner of St. George-i. e., column standing upon Magna Charta, and white with a red cross, which, April 12, firmly grasped, as a pillar indicating in 1606 (three years after James I. ascended alienable rights, by the throne), was incorporated with the twelve hands, banner of Scotland-i. e., blue with a representing the white diagonal cross. This combination twelve colonies obtained the name of "Union-Jack," in (Georgia not hav- allusion to the union with Scotland; and ing had a repre- the word jack is considered a corruption sentative in that of the word Jacobus, Jacques, or James. Congress). The This arrangement continued until the hands belonging to union with Ireland, Jan. 1, 1801, when the bare arms coming banner of St. Patrick-i. e., white with out of the clouds, a diagonal red cross, was amalgamated denoting heavenly with it, and forms the present British strength. The whole was surrounded by union flag. The union-jack of the United a large serpent, perfect, and in two coils, States, or American jack, is a blue field with on whose body were the following words: white stars, denoting the union of the States. It is without the fly, which is the part composed of alternate stripes of white and red. E BECOMES ETERNITY TAND THUS SUPPORTEDE A UNION DEVICE. "United, now, alive and free, Union League, a patriotic organization of clubs established in the principal After the Declaration of Independence Northern cities during the Civil War. Any a print appeared in London with a device person who had the right to vote and combining a part of Holt's (the hands, could affirm "absolute and unqualified thirteen of them), but instead of bare loyalty to the government of the United arms they were heavily mailed, denoting States," was eligible to membership. United Colonies, THE. The second Unitarians, frequently termed Socin- In 1900 the official reports showed: Minisians from Lælius Socinus, who founded a ters, 670; churches, 817; members, 226,sect in Italy about 1546. In America 643. Dr. James Freeman, of King's Chapel, Boston, in 1783, removed from the Prayer Continental Congress assembled at PhilaBook of Common Prayers all reference delphia on May 10, 1775. The harmony of to the Trinity or Deity and worship of action in that body, and the important Christ; his church became distinctly Uni- events in the various colonies which had tarian in 1787. In 1801 the Plymouth been pressed upon their notice, made the Church declared itself Unitarian. Dr. representatives feel that the union was William Ellery Channing (1780-1842) was complete, notwithstanding Georgia had the acknowledged head of this church until not yet sent a delegate to the Congress. his death. The American Unitarian as- Recognizing this fact, the Congress, on sociation was formed May 24, 1825; head- June 7, in ordering a fast, Resolved, quarters at Boston, Mass. The Western that Thursday, July 20 next, be observed conference organized 1852, and a nation- throughout the Twelve United Colonies al Unitarian conference at New York City, April 5, 1865. Reports for 1900 showed: 550 ministers, 459 churches, and 71,000 members. United American Mechanics, JUNIOR ORDER OF, a fraternal organization in the United States, founded in 1853; reported in 1899, State councils, 37; sub-councils, 2,164; members, 183,508; benefits disbursed since organization, $3,619,738; benefits disbursed in 1899, $591,164. United American Mechanics, ORDER OF, a fraternal organization in the United States, founded in 1845; reported in 1900, State councils, 20; sub-councils, 734; members, 49,189; benefits disbursed last fiscal year, $165.695. as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer." When, exactly one year later, a resolution declaring these colonies "free and independent States" was adopted, the committee to draft a declaration to that effect entitled the new government The United States of America. United Colonies of New England. In May, 1643, delegates from Connecticut, New Haven, and Plymouth, and the General Court of Massachusetts, assembled at Boston to consider measures against the common danger from the Dutch in Manhattan and the Indians. Delegates were not invited from Rhode Island, for that colony was considered "schismatic and an intruder. When it asked for admission, it was refused, unless it would acknowledge allegiance to Plymouth. Then it applied for a charter, and obtained it in 1644 (see RHODE ISLAND). A confederacy was formed under the above title, and continued for more than forty years (1643-1686), while the government of England was changed three times during that period. It was a confederacy of States like our early union (see ARTICLES oF CONFEDERATION), and local supreme jurisdiction was jealously reserved by each colony. Thus early was the doctrine of State supremacy developed (see STATE United Brethren in Christ, OLD CON- SOVEREIGNTY). The general affairs of STITUTION, a religious body formerly a the confederacy were managed by a part of the UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST board, of commissioners consisting of two (q. v.), but owing to an act of the general church members from each colony, who conference in 1885 appointing a commis- were to meet in a congress annually, or sion to revise the Confession of Faith, oftener if required. Their duty was to Bishop Milton Wright and eleven dele- consider circumstances and recommend gates who opposed the measure withdrew measures for the general good. They had and formed an independent organization. no executive power, nor supreme legis United Brethren in Christ, a religious sect established in the United States by William Otterbein, a missionary of the German Reformed Church, and Martin Böhm. The first meeeting was held in 1789 in Baltimore, Md., but it was not known by its present name till 1800. The first general conference was held in 1815, when rules of order and a confession of faith were adopted. The principal additions have been made in Pennsylvania and in the Northwest. In 1900 the official report showed: Ministers, 1,897; churches, 4,229; members, 243.841. sociate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and their first general assembly met at Xenia, O., in May, 1859. Reports for 1900 showed: 918 ministers, 911 churches, and 115, United States, GREAT SEAL OF THE. See SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES, GREAT. United States, SUFFRAGE LAWS IN THE. See ELECTIVE SUFFRAGE. lative power. Their propositions were referred to and finally acted upon by the several colonies, each assuming an independent sovereignty. But war was not to be declared by one colony without 901 members. the consent of this congress of com- United States, CONSTITUTION AND missioners, to whose province Indian GOVERNMENT OF THE. See CALHOUN, JOHN affairs and foreign relations were espe- CALDWELL. cially consigned. All war expenses were to be a common charge, and runaway servants and fugitive criminals were to be delivered up; and it was soon an established rule that judgments of courts of United States, THE, a frigate of the law and probates of wills in one colony American navy, built in Philadelphia, Pa., should have full faith and credit in all in 1797. On Oct 10, 1812, Commodore others. The commissioners of Massa- Rodgers sailed from Boston in the Presichusetts, representing by far the most dent, accompanied by the United States, powerful colony of the league, and assum- forty-four guns, Captain Decatur, and the ing to be a perfect republic," claimed Argus, sixteen guns, Lieutenant-comprecedence, which the others readily con- mandant Sinclair, leaving the Hornet in ceded. New Haven was the weakest mem- port. The President parted company with ber of the league, Plymouth next, but all her companions on Oct. 12, and on the were growing. Fort Saybrook, at the mouth of the Connecticut River, was yet an independent settlement. See SAYBROOK, FORT. United Labor Party, a political organization in the United States which grew out of several labor societies which had actively entered political life. From the same source was also developed the National Union Labor party. Many members of these two parties were for merly identified with the Greenback-Labor party. In the Presidential campaign of 1888 the United Labor party nominated R. H. Cowdry (Ill.) for President and W. H. T. Wakefield (Kan.) for VicePresident, and this ticket received 2,808 popular votes. The National Union Labor party nominated Alson J. Streeter (Ill.) for President and C. E. Cunningham (Ark.) for Vice-President, and this ticket received 148,105 popular votes, both parties receiving support from the same source, showing want of harmony. In the Presidential campaigns of 1892. 1896, and 1900, neither of these parties appeared under their former names, but in each year a Social Labor party made nominations and received popular votes of 21,164, 36.274, and 39,537 respectively. United Presbyterians. The United Presbyterian Church of North America was formed in May, 1858, by the union of the Associated Presbyterian Church and As 17th captured a British packet. The United States and Argus also parted company, the former sailing to the southward and eastward in search of British West Indiamen. At dawn, on Sunday morning, the 25th, the watch at the maintop of the United States discovered a sail to windward- an English ship-of-war. Decatur spread all his sails and gave chase, and, as the United States drew nearer and nearer the British ship, such loud shouts went up from her decks that they were heard on board the vessel of the enemy. At about 9 A.M. Decatur had got so near that he opened a broadside upon the strange vessel, with much effect. It was responded to in kind, both vessels being on the same tack. They continued the fight by a heavy and steady cannonade with the long guns of each, the distance being so great that carronades and muskets were of no avail. In the course of half an hour the British vessel was fearfully injured, and her commander, perceiving that her only safety from destruction was to engage in close action, drew up to the United States for that purpose. The latter, with splendid gunnery, sent shots which cut her enemy's mizzen-mast so that it fell overboard. Very soon her main and fore top-masts. were gone and her fore-mast was tottering. No colors were seen floating over her deck. Her main-mast was severely damaged, |