"America, a partly-draped female figure, is being held down by Lord Mansfield (right) in judge's wig and robes, while North, holding her by the throat, pours the contents of a tea-pot down her mouth. America ejects the tea in a stream directed at North's face. From his pocket hangs a paper inscribed "Boston Port Bill". Sandwich (left) kneels, holding America down by an ankle, while he lifts the edge of her draperies and peers beneath them. Behind Mansfield (right) stands Bute in Scots cap and kilt, holding a drawn sword, its blade inscribed "Military Law", pistols are thrust through his belt. Behind America stands Britannia resting one hand on her shield; she averts her face and covers her eyes with her hand. Behind Sandwich (left) stand two men dressed in the French and Spanish fashions and representing France and Spain or the monarchs of France and Spain; the order of the Golden Fleece hangs from the neck of Spain. They stand close together, pointing towards America with expressions of interest and concern. In the foreground is a torn document inscribed "Boston petition". In the background is the sea; on the horizon and on a minute scale are the spires of a town surrounded by ships, above is engraved, "Boston cannonaded"."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
America swallowing the bitter draught
Description:
Title engraved below image., Publication place and date from that of the periodical for which this plate was engraved., and Plate from: London magazine. London : Printed for J. Baldwin, v. 43 (1774), p. 185.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Mansfield, William Murray, Earl of, 1705-1793, Bute, John Stuart, Earl of, 1713-1792, and Sandwich, John Montagu, Earl of, 1718-1792
Subject (Topic):
Boston Port Bill, 1774, Boston Tea Party, 1773, Britannia (Symbolic character), Ethnic stereotypes, Teapots, and Medical procedures & techniques
