print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.4362
- Title
- Object: The Deplorable State of America or Sc-h Government
- Description
-
Satire on the StampTax of 1765 showing Britannia presenting "Pandoras Box" (the tax) to America (represented by a native American) who appeals to Minerva; the goodess advises "Take it not" pointing to Liberty prostrate on the ground and attacked by a snake and a thistle. Mercury (standing for Trade) turns to America saying, "It is with Reluctance I leave ye" as he moves towards the king of France who, in turn, offers a purse of money to an irradiated boot (Lord Bute). Above a zephyr blows forcefully towards the tree of Liberty beside which stands a man saying "Heaven grant it may stand" beside whom a crown and sceptre lie on the ground. In the background, sailors stand on a shore beside three ships one with a broom at its masthead indicating that it is for sale; one points towards a gibbet labelled, "Fit Entertainment for St[am]p M[e]n"; a group of men beside the gibbet, identified by Stephens as Stamp Men or excisemen, complain, "We shall all Starve", "By G[o]d I'll rob first!, "Ay, ay, necessity has no Law".
Etching
- Production date
- 1766
- Dimensions
-
Height: 203 millimetres
-
Width: 362 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Stephens identifies the man beside the tree of Liberty as Loyalty, but it is not clear why that figure would losing a crown and sceptre.
The print was announced in the Gazeteer and New Daily Advertiser, 2 January 1766.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.4362
