Even when traveling abroad, Mendes thought it was important to show his American identity. In Egypt he constructs a U.S. flag, said to be the first to be flown on the Nile.

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Manfalut, Egypt - May 3, 1832

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“Purchased red, white and blue cotton to make a flag – returned on board and cut it out, my servant making it” … “Having … completed the flag and hoisted it under a salute, each of the sailors… on the elevation of the flag agree to defend it if necessary.”

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Flag, Gift of Mary Adair Dockery (University Collection, Johns Hopkins University), JMM 1996.169.2.