The RECONCILIATION between BRITANIA and her daughter AMERICA

Date1782

Attributed to Thomas Colley

Publisher William Humphrey

OriginEngland, London

MediumEtching on laid paper

DimensionsOH: 10 1/4" x OW: 15"; Plate H: 9 3/4" x W: 13 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-158

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "The RECONCILIATION between BRITANIA and her daughter AMERICA/ Pub.d by W. Humphrey N.o 227 Strand./ 1/ A curse upon all Artifice/ May Britons never thrive/ 2/ While Roguish Minis--rs they keep/ to Eat them up alive/ 3/ By Lots they seel oh Dam-em Well/ Each place we put our trust in./ 4/ Cut them of short twill make good sport/ Whilst honest men are thrust in."

The scene of reconciliation between Britain and America that appears as the cover of this volume was only one of a number of satires designed to comment on new national alliances at the close of the Revolution. Shortly after the cessation of fighting, the British government began negotiations with representatives of the Continental Congress to arrange a peace treaty separate from that of America's allies. France was particularly disturbed by this move, having expected, under the terms of a joint agreement, to make certain territorial gains at America's expense.

Britannia, sword and shield upright, and Indian Princess America with a liberty cap share the center of the work. Britannia says to America, "Be a good Girl and give me a Buss," and is answered, "Dear Mama say no more about it." America's wartime allies, displeased by her ready forgiveness of England, attempt to restrain her. France pulls on the ribbon linking America with himself and Spain, telling the latter, "Begar they will be friends again if you don’t pull a little harder Cus...." Spain replies, "Monsier Toad stool me do all I can to keep them asunder pull her hair, but take care she don't kick you." On the extreme left Holland, smoking a pipe and with a bottle of gin at his side, leans on a barrel of herrings and responds to unseen Catherine the Great's offer to mediate a settlement, "I'll Delliberate a little, to see which is weakest then I'll give you direct answer Kate Russia."

Gambling symbols at his feet, Fox is represented by a fox tail and head that says, "Sharp as a Sword." Fox himself comments, "Da-n that Frenchman & his Cousin don, how they strain to part them. make haste my boy Keppel & give them a Spank." Keppel, barely visible at the right, replies, "that I will my Prince of bold Action they shall have fore and aft."
ProvenanceEx coll: H. Dunscombe Colt. Other known copies: Halsey collection at Brown; the New York Public Library collection (2 copies, one colored).