"The figures are numbered, referring to a short printed explanation beneath the plate. A man (1), England, dressed only in a shirt, with an expression of horrified rage, is being held by two men, (4) and (5), representing Denmark and Sweden. France (7) stands behind him about to place a fool's cap on his head. Russia (right) (3), a stalwart man wearing a fur cap and long gown, is about to strike him with a large club. A plainly dressed man (2), America, runs off to the left with his clothes, looking back with a smile. Holland, as a Dutchman (6), kneels on the ground fixing shackles to the ankles of the Man in the Shirt. The scene is the sea-shore. Small vessels (left) (8) have boards on the top of their bare masts; behind them are ships in full sail (9). A man (10) clenches his fist at the sight of the vessels. In the foreground lie torn documents (11). The explanation, translated: (1), "A man in a shirt in a great rage; (2), an American, who carries away his money and clothes laughing; (3), a Russian threatening to strike him; (4) and (5) hold each an arm; (6), a Dutchman who puts chains on him; (8), some dismantled privateers; (9), a fleet of merchant ships sailing undisturbed; (10), a man who sees this, stamping his feet; (11), some torn-up treaties." 1780 Etching with letterpress explanation"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed., and One figure in print identified (in ms.?) as B. Franklin.
Two men in a large room, one seated, the other standing are seen gesturing towards a framed picture representing a naval battle, and showing the diplomatic papers thrown into the water by Henry Laurens. When retrieved by the British, these papers had revealed unauthorized Dutch negotiations with the American Congress, resulting in a British declaration of war on Holland on 20 December 1780
Alternative Title:
True interpretation of an English print
Description:
Titles and date of publication from British Museum catalogue.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain, Netherlands., Netherlands, Great Britain., United States., and England