The merchants memorial to Alley Croker [graphic]

"The Admiralty is represented by an open pavilion (right) on the shore, raised above the ground by two steps and having a pediment inscribed 'Adma--y'. Within, the Lords of the Admiralty are fast asleep, while Croker, Secretary to the Admiralty, angrily addresses a deputation of merchants approaching from the left He sits in an arm-chair, legs crossed, holding a paper headed 'List of Ships taken by the Americans'. The two leading petitioners (cf. British Museum Satires No. 12305) hold out respectively the 'Liverpool Petition' and 'Glasgow Petition', saying: "We humbly pray that you will let loose a few of those Bull dogs to protect our property from those American Curs who are Robbing us every day before our faces & as it is you alone who can put a stop to their career & save us from Ruin: we hope our prayers will be attended to." Croker wards them off with outstretched arm, shouting, "What the Devil are you Croaking about?!!! Why they have only taken 840 vessels lately & what is that, to such a great nation as this!" The Lords of the Admiralty, two civilians and two in naval uniform, are grouped round a circular table. A civilian reclines in an arm-chair, his gouty legs supported on a stool; he holds a paper: 'Taken last night 14 vessels this morng 20 vessels by ye Americans'. Beside them are fierce bulldogs, muzzled and heavily chained to staples, representing the Navy. On the wall are four pictures of naval battles: 'Shannon & Chesapeak' (see British Museum Satires No. 12080), 'Glorious 1st of June' (see British Museum Satires No. 8469, &c.), 'Nile' (see British Museum Satires No. 9250, &c.), 'Trafalgar' (see British Museum Satires No. 10442, &c.). From the architrave is festooned drapery inscribed: 'Good Merchants do not weep we are not dead but fast asleep.' Nelson, cloud-borne, looks down at the sleeping men, saying with arm extended, "Awake! Arise! or be for ever fallen." Two of the petitioners (left) talk together; one points angrily to the sea where a line of captured British ships is sailing off to the left ; nearer shore are the mast and spars of a sunken ship. He says: "See what they do! even in the Chaps of the Channel!!! Why! bye & bye they will be coming up the River: & taking all our Wherries & Funnies!!!" The other answers: "Faith if they do that will be Wherry Funny indeed"."--British Museum online catalogue