To: the Editor of the "Nonrw-Cuuna Dany New!
Sin—While motoring through Yorkshire a few months ago, paid a visit to Selby Abbey. This magnificent, building is still excellent state of preservation when tone: considers. its great age. The Abbey of Selby was founded by Royal Charter by William T, in th year 1069.
"At the far end of the Abbey the: cleristory window is a shield, in the second light; Argent, two Dars and in chief. three mullets, Pierced, gules. These ave the Washington Arms. The shield was Supposed to have been in existence about the year i984, but it is a certain fact that it was there in the year 1584, in which year it was Meseribed by the historian Glover.
surmised that it was evected by, or in honour of, some member of' the Washington' family, from which President Washington sprang, who: would be a benefactor of the Abbey. The three stars (''Mullets?) and: the two bars ("Stripes") are very clear and anyone can readily appreciate the suggestion that the American arms are the American flag in embryo.
'To the right of the window, hanging from the, balcony, is the United States Flag, the Stars and 'Stripes, which' was' the gift of an American lady. The Abbey shield jis the glass not a copy, and it is indeed remarkable how it has come down to us through all the: changes of the centuries," If the Washington Arms were in the 'Abbey in: 1584. (President Washington was born in 1732) was was President Washington a direct descendant/ or' is this' another branch of the' Washington-family? This-may friends: in Sitinghai, who perhaps can throw: some esting subject. I enclose a sketch of the Washington Arms.
Tam, ete,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.