What may be doing Abroad./ What is doing at Home.

Date1769

MediumBlack and white line engraving

DimensionsOH: 11 1/4" X OW: 8 3/4"; Plate H: 7 1/4" X W: 4 1/3"; The plate has been remounted and is trimmed to the lines of new mounting.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-40

DescriptionThe upper margin reads: "Design'd & Engrav'd for the Political Register./ What may be doing Abroad."
The lower margin reads: "What is doing at Home."

This is a two-part work. In "What may be doing Abroad.," four of the European states previously involved in the 1748 Aix-la-Chapelle confernece now exclude England from deliberations and examine a map in order to devide among themselves the kingdom of Great Britian. Spain, unhappy with the previous settlement, desires Gibraltar, Jamaica, Carolina, and Canada. France wishes Ireland for the young duke of Orleans; Scotland for the Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie; and England for itself. Maria Teresa, ruler of Hungary, Bohemia, and Austria, claims Bengal and Madras in order to establish an East India Company. Finally, the king of Prussia demands all of North America and Hanover.
While this conference is taking place, "At Home" George III is grief-stricken to discover five of his ministers, led by the duke of Grafton, then prime minister, conferring in secret. Their primary concern is not the monumental international crisis that threatens England, but rather a number of small local matters that would further strengthen their own personal political positions and weaken the king's.
ProvenanceEx coll: H. Dunscombe Colt. Other known copies: Halsey collection at Brown; Peel collection at the Morgan Library.