TARRING and FEATHERING

Date1784

MediumBlack and white etching and stipple engraving.

DimensionsOW: 7 3/4" X OW: 11 1/4"; Plate: 6 1/4" X 10 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-148

DescriptionLower margin reads: "America inv.t/ Hibernia Fecit/ TARRING and FEATHERING/ The Reward of the Enemies of Ireland"
Label TextA man who has been stripped of all clothes (including his wig) except for his knee breeches, kneels on one leg in profile holding up his hands in supplication. four persons are about to tar and feather him. A man holding a large brush says to him, "This will teach you Humanity for thousands of Starving Manufacturers, driven almost to Desperarion, by the United efforts of Foreign & Domestic enemies." A man holding a bucket inscribed "For the Enemies of Ireland" says "anoint him well--I have tar enough for the whole tribe--Parasites, Pl-ce men Pen--onrs, mock Patriots, Paragraphers--Blackguards and all-- and a Speedy Exportation to the whole--Hurra, Boys, Hurra!" Behind the victim stands a man with a bag of feathers inscribed "Real Irish Cloathing for Apostate Patriots &c. &c." He says: "Was not you very dull, when you took off our Wool to leave us so much of the leather, the leather It ne'er entered your pate, that a Sheeps-skin well beat Would rouze a whole nation together, together." Behind stands a woman holding feathers; she says: "You shall be well fledg'd, tho' I strip my old Gander for it." Behind the figures is a bleaching-green where linen is hugn on lines. the adjacent buildings are evidently connected with the industry. In 1784 a great disorder occured in dublin on account of the rejection of proposals for protective taxes.