The Fall of Washington or Maddy in Full Flight.

• Price: SOLD
  

  SKU: 102462

• PRINT ADD TO FAVORITES
  SHARE

• ARTIST:

• PUBLISHER: Published Oct. 4th, 1814 by Samuel William Fores, No. 50 Piccidilly.

• MEDIUM: Engraving

  DATE: 1814

• EDITION SIZE: Sheet size 9 7/8 x 14" (25 x 35.5 cm)

• DESCRIPTION: A rare War of 1812 English produced satirical print on the sacking of Washington, D.C.<br><br> Underneath the image is a quotation from William Shakespeare's "Macbeth." It reads, "Death of thy Soul. Those linen cheeks of thine; Are Counsellors to fear."<br><br> President Madison and one of his Ministers, both with bundles of papers, flee (right to left) from Washington watched by Americans, and by two amused British sailors (right). Behind (right) flames and heavy smoke rise from the burning buildings. A British flagged ship (likely a captured American ship) is at anchor outside the town. Madison clutches his 'State Papers', some of which are falling; one bundle is inscribed 'Boneys Instructions [to M]addison'. He exclaims: "D--n his notes! what are they good for now! we should get nothing but Iron, he has'nt any of his stock of Brass left, or some of that would have help'd us through this business-." His companion, probably Armstrong, the Secretary of War, holds papers inscribed: 'Plan for laying England under Contribution, Project for the conquest of Canada, Correspond[ence] with Boney'. He says: "Who would have thought of this Man! to oblige us to run from the best Cabinet supper I ever order'd - I hope you have taken care of Boney’s promisary notes. The people won't stand anything after this.”; Three Americans stand together (left) watching the flight without displeasure. One asks: “Jonathan where thinkest thou our President will run to now!”; His neighbor answers: “Why verrily to Elba to his bosom friend!”; The third says: ”The great Washington fought for Liberty, but we are fighting for shadows, which if obtained could do no Earthly good, but this is the blessed effects of it.”; Two others stand behind; one points to the flames, saying, “I suppose this is what Maddis calls benefiting his Country!”; The other answers: “Why it will throw such a light on affairs that we shall find it necessary to change both Men and measures.” One of the British sailors holds a bludgeon; he points to the ship, saying: "I say Jack! what is that there Man of War, that was to nihilate us as Master Boney used to say.” The other answers: “Aye Messmate, he is a famous fighter, over a bottle of Shampain, why he'd have played Hell with us if we had let him sit down to Supper!” All the Americans are Quaker-like, with lank hair and broad-brimmed hats. On the ground near the two fugitives are papers headed: 'Bill of fare for the cabinet Supper at President Maddis Augt 24 1814 Soup - List of Guns Men &c &c in the fortification of New York Guns-Men. with letters addressed to Genl Vandame and To Genl Dubourg.

• ADDITIONAL INFO: Printed on laid paper with a crested watermark.

• CONDITION: Generally in good condition, the lower right and left corners are lost, likely from being removed from a scrapbook. Original color

• REFERENCE:

• CATEGORIES: 18th-19th Century Subjects , Caricatures and Satirical