"Columbia Teaching John Bull his New Lesson", a ca. 1813 caricature presenting a U.S. view of the War of 1812. On the left, Columbia (the personification of the United States, holding a pole with a liberty cap on it, and with a stars-and-stripes shield behind her) says: "I tell you Johnny, you must learn to read Respect -- Free Trade -- Seaman's Rights &c. -- As for you, Mounseer Beau Napperty, when John gets his lesson by heart, I'll teach you Respect, Retribution, &c &c."

In the middle, a short-statured Napoleon says: "Ha Ha -- Begar, me be glad to see Madam Columbia angry with dat dere John Bull -- But me no learn respect -- me no learn retribution -- Me be de grand Emperor."

On the right, John Bull says: "I don't like that lesson, I'll read this pretty lesson" (holding a book with "Power constitutes Right", i.e. "might makes right").

Bibliographic information found on the LoC site:

TITLE: Columbia teaching John Bull his new lesson / S[amuel] Kennedy, del. ; Wm Charles, Sculp.

CALL NUMBER: PGA - Charles--Columbia teaching ... (A size) [P&P]

REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZC4-5643 (color film copy transparency) LC-USZ62-8869 (b&w film copy neg.)

SUMMARY: A War of 1812 satire on Anglo-American and Franco-American relations. England's "lesson" is about the seriousness of American determination to maintain freedom on the high seas, while France is warned of Yankee firmness on matters of "Retribution" and "Respect". On the left, Columbia, as a maiden with staff and liberty cap, a shield with stars and stripes, and an eagle, gestures toward John Bull, saying, "I tell you Johnny, you must learn to read Respect --Free trade -- Seamans rights &c -- As for you Mounseer Beau Napperty, when John gets his lesson by heart I'll teach you Respect -- Retribution &c. &c." Bonaparte, standing on a hillock in the center: "Ha-ha -- Begar me be glad to see Madam Columbia angry with dat dere Bull -- But me no learn respect -- me no learn retribution -- Me be de grand Emperor." John Bull, in knee breeches, standing at right: "I don't like that lesson -- I'll read this pretty lesson". He points to the pages of a book that read, "Power constitutes Right". The date of circa 1813 is accepted by both Lanmon and Weitenkampf. The partnership of Samuel Kennedy and William Charles was first announced in 1813, and lasted at least until December 1814.

MEDIUM: 1 print on wove paper: etching with watercolor ; sheet 24.8 x 34.9 cm.

CREATED/PUBLISHED: [Philadephia : s.n.], 1813.

CREATOR: Charles, William, 1776-1820, artist.

NOTES: Title appears as it is written on the print. Trimmed to within platemark at bottom. Lanmon, p. 93, 97. Weitenkampf, p. 18. Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1813-3.

TOPICS:

• Columbia.
• France.
• John Bull.
• Napoleon Bonaparte.
• War of 1812.

FORMAT: Political cartoons 1810-1820. Etchings Hand-colored 1810-1820.

REPOSITORY: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

DIGITAL ID: (color film copy transparency) cph 3g05643 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3g05643 (b&w film copy neg.) cph 3a11409 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a11409