Sketches made by Samuel Chester Reid in 1850 in a letter to his son, showing his proposed designs for various U.S. flags when he was a central part of Congressional discussions in 1817. Reid came up with the concept of having 13 stripes while adding stars to represent the states, which was the definition chosen for the Flag Act of 1818, which is still in force today. Reid recommended arranging the stars in a larger star, which in fact was used in the first flag flown over the Capitol following the 1818 law, but shortly thereafter horizontal rows became customary.

Reid actually proposed three flags: the "people's flag", a governmental flag with the stars replaced by the coat of arms (so to better distinguish merchant from government ships), and a "national standard" to be used on ceremonial occasions such as inaugurations. This last flag was reminiscent of the British royal standard, and had four quarters, one with the stars on a blue background, another with the coat of arms on a white background, another with the Goddess of Liberty on a white background, and the last with the 13 red and white stripes. Other accounts of the Congressional committee letters show the eagle and goddess quarters switched from this sketch; perhaps they were changed in discussions before being dropped altogether. Reid also proposed a national cockade, a symbol worn on military uniforms. None of Reid's additional suggestions were adopted, nor were they seriously considered.