Johnny Bull and the Alexandrians / Wm Charles, Ssc. ; Charles, William, 1776-1820
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Johnny Bull and the Alexandrians / Wm Charles, Ssc. ; Charles, William, 1776-1820
Johnny Bull and the Alexandrians / Wm Charles, Ssc.; Charles, William, 1776-1820, artist; Philada. : Pubd, and sold wholesale by Wm. Charles, 1814.; 1 print on laid paper : etching and aquatint; plate 24.8 x 34 cm.; The citizens of Alexandria, Virginia, are ridiculed in this scene for their lack of serious resistance against the British seizure of the city in 1814. At left two frightened gentlemen kneel with hands folded, pleading, " Pray Mr. Bull don t be too hard with us -- You know we were always friendly, even in the time of our Embargo!" In the center stands a bull in English seamans clothes, holding out a long list of " Terms of Capitulation" to the Alexandrians. He says, " I must have all your Flour -- All your Tobacco -- All your Provisions -- All your Ships -- All your Merchandize -- every thing except your Porter and Perry -- keep them out of my sight, I ve had enough of them already." His allusion is to American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Captain David Porter. At right, a soldier and sailor carry off spirits, saying: " Push on Jack, the yankeys are not all so Cowardly as these Fellows here -- lets make the best of our time." and " Huzza boys!!! More Rum more Tobacco!"
Liszt Collection of nineteenth-century engravings and images to browse and enjoy
Media ID 12683596
© Quint Lox Limited
1814 Alexandria Aquatint Bull Charles Citizens City Commodore Friendly Hands Folded Lack Laid Paper Pleading Pray Scene Ships Terms Time Tobacco Virginia William Capitulation Embargo Oliver Hazard Perry Perry Philada Ridiculed
EDITORS COMMENTS
The print titled "Johnny Bull and the Alexandrians" captures a satirical scene that mocks the citizens of Alexandria, Virginia, for their perceived lack of resistance against the British seizure of their city in 1814. The artwork, created by William Charles in 1814, depicts various characters engaging in amusing dialogue and actions. On the left side of the image, two frightened gentlemen kneel with folded hands, pleading to Mr. Bull not to be too harsh on them. They remind him that they have always been friendly, even during times of embargo. In the center stands a bull dressed as an English seaman who holds out a long list titled "Terms of Capitulation" to the Alexandrians. He demands all their flour, tobacco, provisions, ships, and merchandise except for porter and perry (likely referring to American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Captain David Porter). To further ridicule the Alexandrians' supposed cowardice or submission to British forces, a soldier and sailor on the right side are seen carrying off spirits while exclaiming phrases like "Push on Jack!" and "Huzza boys!!! More Rum more Tobacco!". This print provides historical insight into how some Americans viewed their fellow citizens' response during this significant event in Alexandria's history. It serves as both political commentary and entertainment through its clever depiction of exaggerated characters engaged in humorous dialogue surrounding wartime circumstances.
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