The Political Cartoon, for the Year 1775.

Date1775

MediumLine engraving on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 4 1/4 × 7 in (10.79 × 17.78cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-53

DescriptionThe lower margin reads, "The Political Cartoon, for the Year 1775."Label TextThe April 1775 edition of “The Westminster Magazine; or, Pantheon of Taste” published this print inside its pages. The Westminster Magazine was published in London and contained political commentaries, social satires, as well as short stories and literary critiques. “The Political Cartoon, for the Year 1775” satirized the poor state of England’s government and society in 1775. In the center, the engraver argues that the current government, symbolized by horses and a carriage driven by William Murray, Lord Mansfield, was trampling on the Magna Carta and the Constitution. The King rests his eyes next to Mansfield, unaware of the abuses of the government carried out by ministers such as John Stuart, Third Earl Bute, who stands on the back of the carriage wearing a Scottish kilt and holding his unpopular proposals. The print portrays English politicians as prideful and corrupt, being carried by two horses labeled “Pride and Obstinacy” and bribing the English population. In the background, a grouping of buildings labeled “America” actively burn, likely alluding to the outbreak of fighting against British rule in the North American colonies.ProvenanceBefore 1960, H. Dunscombe Colt [1901-1973] (New York, NY); before 1960, purchased by the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1960-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).