Of the many Great Star flags over the years, the first most people know about was Peter Wendover/Samuel Reid's proposal to have the U.S. flag bear the stars in a "Great Star" pattern for use on land and on private ships and in rows for the navy, proposed in 1818. Congress did not accept this idea. In fact, Congress purposely did not specify how the stars were to be arranged. Prior to this proposal, however, this pattern can be found. It probably had its origin in the U.S. crest, which shows 13 stars in the shape of a six-pointed Great Star. The pattern can be found often in the 19th century, prior to 1865 and particularly used on private ships.