Proclamation of peace (BM 1868,0808.5046)

Peace, blowing a trumpet, and holding an olive-branch, flies above the heads of five standing figures representing the ex-belligerents; attached to her trumpet is a banner inscribed, "Peace proclaimed Octr 6th 1783". America, on the extreme left, is a man, nude, except for a pair of striped breeches, his head decorated by a tuft of three feathers. He capers, waving a tomahawk in his left hand, and holding in his right the staff of liberty surmounted by a Phrygian cap; from the staff floats the striped American flag; a short length of chain lies at his feet. He says, "I have got my Liberty and the Devil Scalp you all". France, next him, turns towards Spain, whose left hand he holds, saying, "Vat for do you mind dot now Diego, here be ver good man, will let you have de nice Tobacco to make you amends" (cf. BMSat 5859); he points to America with his right hand. He is dressed as a French petit-maître and has a long pigtail queue. Spain, in cloak, slashed doublet, and feathered hat, looks away from France towards John Bull or England; he says, with his right hand on his breast, "Ah me Signior! your Balls dat be all fire make me Shiver & cry for peace", see BMSat 6035, &c. England is a burly sailor, wearing short wide trousers, holding a club in his right hand. He turns away from Spain towards Holland, whom he holds by the neckcloth, saying, "Damme but you shall make peace Myneer, or never know the taste of Spice again". Holland, a stout plainly dressed burgher wearing baggy breeches, clasps his hands in distress, saying, "Vat Rob me & cut my troat too Myneer English!"

Beneath the design is inscribed:

"Peace! Peace! says Monsieur, before Hood again calls;

Spain Welcomes the sound, dreading Eliotts hot Balls;

Return but my Gelt, Holland roars out in fear,

I too will make peace; Indeed! will you Myneer!

Aye Sink me you shall, and for you Miss revolt

The time may yet come, to repent of your fault." 21 October 1783

Etching

satirical print great britain british museum british art satirical prints in the british museum high resolution flag devil wings flight

1783

British Museum

https://www.britishmuseum.org/

public domain