<P> The United Companies of the Train of Artillery of the Town of Providence already used a coiled rattlesnake on a field of gold with the motto "Do Not Tread On Me" on its flag . Before Esek Hopkins was named the first Commodore of the American Navy by the Continental Congress he served as a Brigadier General of the Rhode Island Militia Artillery, and would have been familiar with the design of the flag . </P> <P> All four of the American - designed "Rattlesnake Flags" show a coiled rattlesnake . The only other rattlesnake flag, the First Navy Jack, was "designed by" the English artist Thomas Hart as background art . </P> <P> The traditional version of the First Navy Jack has an uncoiled rattlesnake and the same motto as the Gadsden flag, on a field of 13 horizontal red and white stripes . Flag experts (vexillologists) speculate that the English artist Thomas Hart either did not know about the practice of rattlesnakes to coil in defense, or did, and intended to insult the fledgling American Navy as a weak and vulnerable creature as a rattlesnake is when not coiled and ready to strike, slithering on the ground, trying to escape, with its motto "(Please) Don't Tread on Me!" However, others suggest the snake pictured on the flag was being provoked, and is striking . Hence the warning, "Don't tread on me (or I will strike)". </P> <P> Considered one of the first flags of the United States, the flag was later replaced by the current Stars and Stripes (or Old Glory) flag . Since the Revolution, the flag has seen resurgences as a symbol of American patriotism, disagreement with government, or support for civil liberties . </P>

What does the don t tread on me flag stand for
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