Martial Law in Jamaica
Date1801
Retailed by
William Holland
OriginEngland, London
MediumEtching with aquatint on wove paper with hand coloring
DimensionsOverall: 14 × 20 3/8in. (35.6 × 51.8cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2022-24
DescriptionLower margin reads: "London Published by Will.m Holland N.o 50 Oxford Street, Nov. 10, 1801/ MARTIAL LAW in JAMAICA/ Johnny Newcome in the Island of Jamaica a companion to this from a drawing by the same humorous Pencil may be had of M.r Holland, Price 4.s Likewise the Torrid Zone or the Blessings of Jamaica 4. s/ Taken after the life by a Gentleman on the/ spot -& dedicated with ever assurances of the highest consideration to all whom it may concern."Label TextThe print shows reveals the tensions between the regular British army and local Jamaican militias. It presents the biased view that, just like in Johnny Newcome (2022-22) that Jamaican planters were seen as no longer “true” Britons and been degenerated by living in a tropical climate and through their lifestyle. Militia’s were started as local defense forces against the Spanish or French as well as slave uprisings and local unrest. Martial law was sometimes called, for example around Christmas when enslaved people were viewed as more likely to rebel because they were given time away from labor.
Abraham James, as a British Regular, drew this satire, which was engraved by William Holland in England showing the local militias to be all about the pomp but with none of the circumstance. They appear disorganized and unable to fend for themselves. Both white and Black militia members are parodied in the print.
Initially, Fee People of Color and Black people served in Jamaican militias segregated units, however, as time went on they were became the majority of the militias because white people made up a small proportion of the militia.
ProvenancePrivate Collection (Christie's, London, April 12, 2012, Lot 279)
2012-2021, Private Collection, purchase Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
ca. 1795
