James I dates from 1433, and has on the reverse side a small St. Andrew's cross. In 1451, the gold issue of "St. Andrew's" and its half (James II.), bore on the reverse of each a figure of the Saint. The gold coinage of James III, 1460-67, consisted of a "St. Andrew's" and the "St. Andrew's Half." In 1468, the Billon Plack and half Plack appeared, bearing a St. Andrew's cross in centre on the reverse side. In 1488, James IV, the "St. Andrew's" bore the image of the Saint, with a glory round his head, together with his cross which reached to the outer edge of the coin. In the last coinage of James IV, 1512, appeared the Billon Plack, representing the Saint and cross in each quarter. In the second issue of the same year, the Saint and cross appear in the centre. In 1677-81, some of the coins were adorned with a St. Andrew's cross passing through a crown, and have the thistle design. Other coins might be mentioned with somewhat similar devices. Towards the close of the last century, a large number of copper tokens were circulated as coin, by private corporations and individuals. One of the Edinburgh halt penny tokens represents St. Andrew carrying his cross in front of him, with the erect thistle on either side. It had also on the rim the motto of the order. The Russian quarter roubles of Peter the Great, of 1701, had an eagle with a St. Andrew's cross around his neck. The roubles of 1723 had the Grand Ribbon of the order of St. Andrew; of 1724, the Star of the order of St. Andrew. Peter the Great died in 1725, and his widow Catharine I, had new designs, and among the adornments, the broad Ribbon and Star of St. Andrew. In 1731-41, on the half roubles of Anna, the broad ribbon of the order of St. Andrew is worn by the figure in armor. In 1741, a Russian coin has a small bust, draped, and wearing the ribbon and badge of St. Andrew. These references to coins may not be deemed pertinent to our subject; but being interesting in connection with the Saint, may be regarded as permissible.
There is a tradition that "The Thistle" was first suggested as the national emblem, by a circumstance which occurred during the invasion of Scotland by the Norseman (Danes). Meditating the surprise of a Scottish camp, at night, and while the main force were halting, a spy in endeavoring to discover the undefended points, stepped with bare feet upon a thistle, which caused such pain that his loud and involuntary exclamation prevented a surprise by arousing the "unsuspecting Scots," who immediately attacked and repulsed the invaders and obtained a complete victory. The Scotch thistle (cracus acauties) was recognized as instrumental to their success, and has since been regarded as the heraldic badge of Scotland.
The "Wisconsin Historical Collections" (vol. 4,) refer to a relic of the Scotch rebellion, which is deposited in the rooms of the Historical Society of that State, at Madison. It is "a portion of an old red silk flag, bearing date in gilt figures 1719, which is four years later than the Scotch rebellion of 1715;" "also the Scotch Thistle in gilt and the Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle or Knights of St. Andrew." It was obtained from a Captain Clarkson, of Ceresco, Wisconson, a lineal descendant of its original owner. By distinct tradition of the family through whom the ancient flag has been handed down, it was used in the memorable Scottish rebellion of 1745, and was in the fatal defeat of Prince Charlie at CuUoden, soon after which its early possessors — the Clarkson family — migrated to New England, bringing this interesting relic with them. There is also recorded in Brewster's "Rambles about Portsmouth," New Hampshire, (vol. I), an interesting account of two brothers, Andrew and John Clarkson, who occupied a spacious old framed house with gambrel-roof which I well remember to have frequently shunned in my boyhood days as haunted. In 1835, the grand old mansion, long unoccupied, was demolished. The Clarksons are represented as natives of Scotland, and men of distinction.
