The Alabama Welsh Society are currently petitioning the Mayor of the city of Mobile, Sam Jones, to resite the monument after it was removed by the Parks Department 20 years ago.

Prince Madoc is believed to have landed at Mobile Bay in 1170 - over 300 years before Christopher Columbus - after setting off from Rhos on Sea with his brother Rhirid following the death of their father Owain Gwynedd.

Although Madoc is the subject of much historical speculation, his legacy is still strong in America where him and his group are believed to have settled amongst a Native American tribe.

In 1953 a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a plaque near Fort Morgan on Mobile Bay commemorating "Prince Madoc, a Welsh explorer, who landed on the shores of Mobile Bay in 1170 and left behind, with the Indians, the Welsh language."

But according to the site manager of Fort Morgan, Blanton Blankenship, the plaque has since been removed and is currently in storage because the site only "focuses on the United States military presence".

In a letter to the Welsh society, Mr Blankenship said: " This does not reflect prejudice against Prince Madoc or the Welsh, as we also do not interpret the prehistoric Native American nor historic Spanish, French and English occupations of this area. There are no plans to put it back on exhibit."

But the Alabama Welsh Society are furious at its removal and want the city to put the plaque back where it belongs.

President of the group, Janice Gattis, said: "I do not understand why our history would be limited to a few events, or a certain era. All history should be told, and displayed not a "selected" history. Putting the plaque of Prince Madoc into storage is like the removal of any mention regarding Plymouth Rock and Columbus! Prince Madoc is believed to have discovered America hundreds of years prior to Columbus. Mobile could and should capitalize on this not hide it in a storage shed."

The society is urging Welsh residents and descendents to e-mail the town officials to convince them to resurrect the monument in honour of the Welsh prince.

If you would like to help the campaign and would like more information on e-mailing your objections to Mayor Sam Jones, visit the society's website at www.alabamawelsh.com

Do you think the plaque should be re-installed? Have your say below.