A POLITICAL LESSON.

DateSeptember 7, 1774

Engraver John Dixon (ca. 1740 - 1811)

MediumBlack and white mezzotint engraving

DimensionsOH: 15" x OW: 11"; Plate H: 14 1/4" x W: 10"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-128

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "J. Dixon invent et fecit/ Published 7, Sep.r 1774./ A POLITICAL LESSON."

On a lonely country road, a storm brewing overhead, a rearing angry horse has thrown its rider to the ground. Under his head is a portion of a milestone indicating that Boston is six miles away; above, a signpost points to Salem. The rider presumably represents General Gage on his journey to Salem to meet with the rebellious colony throwing off the new challenge to its freedom.

Label TextOn June 1, 1774, the British ordered the port of Boston closed in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party, and stipulated that it remain so until payment had been made for all of the tea destroyed. Simultaneously, General Thomas Gage, a royal governor of Massachusetts, ordered the capital moved from Boston to Salem.
This action further inflammed the already angry colonials. News of the continuing rebellion was quickly transmitted back to England, where from the outset public opinion opposed the government's attempts to control colonies. Satitists were inspired to search for new ideas to portray the events that followed.
ProvenanceEx coll: H. Dunscombe Colt. Other known copies: Halsey collection at Brown; Peel collection at the Morgan library.