Banknote, US silver certificate (one dollar). Issuer: United States Department of the Treasury
Named in inscription: Washington Street Americas: North America: USA: Massachusetts (state): Suffolk County (Massachusetts): Boston (Massachusetts): Washington Street
The yankie doodles intrenchments near Boston 1776
Behind a well-made trench, fronted with palisades, appear the heads of its defenders; words issue from their mouths in long labels. One man stands on the top of the trench, his cap is inscribed "Death or Liberty", his coat and stockings are ragged, and he stands as if shivering with cold, his bayonetted musket tucked under his arm and pointing downwards; he says "I swear its plaguy Cold Jonathan; I don't think They'll Attack us, Now You". The other men, whose heads and shoulders only appear above the trench, say (l. to right.): "I dont feel bold today" (the speaker is dressed as a minister, with flat hat, lank hair, and bands). His neighbour says, "I fear they'll Shoot Again"; a man wearing a "Death or Liberty" hat says, "How, Borgoine & Clinton let us keep a good Sqint on for if they come here they'll warm us I fear" Another man wearing a "Death or Liberty" cap says "blast their Eyes We'll have no Excise" Another minister of puritanic appearance says, "Tis Old Olivers Cause No Monarchy nor Laws" He holds a flag on which is a tree, inscribed "Liberty", surmounted by a fool's cap and flanked by two gibbets labelled "The Fruit". Another man wearing a "Death or Liberty" cap, says, "I fear Our Genll is Still a Labourer in Vain". The last man is in military uniform with epaulettes and a gorget; one hand is on a small cannon in an embrasure, the other holds a bottle which stands on a thick book, presumably a Bible; he says "The Spirit moves us in Sun-dry places &c. Yet I fear the Lord is not With us." Beneath the design is etched, "Behold the Yankies in there ditch's Whose Conscience gives such griping twitch's They'r ready to Be S--t their Brech's. Yankie Doodle do. Next see the Hypocritic parson Who thay all wish to turn an A--s on Altho' the Devil keps the farce on. Yankie &c. See Putnam that Commands in Chief Sir Who looks & Labours like a thief sir To get them daily Bread & Beef sir. Yankie &c. Their Congress now is quite disjoint'd Since Gibbits sis for them appointed For fighting gainst ye Lords Annointed. Yankie, doodle" 1776 Etching -- (Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', V, 1935) The artist appears to have been ignorant of Washington's appointment, 15 June 1775, as commander-in-chief. He took over the command or the troops round Boston on 3 July 1775, superseding not Israel Putnam (appointed fourth major-general June 1775) but Artemis Ward, Boston was evacuated by Howe on 17 Mar. 1776. Cf. BMSat 5392. For the New England pine-tree flag, used before the stars and stripes, see BMSat 5336. One of the few satires hostile to the Americans, cf. BMSat 5401, 6288. (Additional note) It has been suggested that this satire is not British, but American from the pro-Loyalist side. See E.P.Richardson, 'Four American Political Prints', American Art Journal, VI, November 1974, pp.36-44.
Virtual representation, 1775. Satirical print
Seven figures on the sea-shore represent the situation in America: four (l.) take the offensive, two (r.) are prepared to defend themselves, while Britannia on the extreme right., blindfolded, is about to rush into a pit inscribed "The Pit prepared for others". Each has a number referring to an explanatory note beneath the design giving the words spoken by each character. The two principal antagonists are Bute (1), who aims a blunderbuss at (5), America, a plainly dressed and sturdy man holding a club. Bute, who wears his Garter ribbons, tartan breeches, and a tartan plaid, is 'One String Jack', saying, "Deliver your Property" (Rann, 'Sixteen String Jack', was a noted highwayman hanged in 1774). America answers, "I will not be Robbed." Behind him and holding his left hand is (6), an English sailor wearing trousers, who says, "I shall be wounded with you". Behind Britannia (7) rushes towards the pit saying, "I am blinded". The Speaker of the House of Commons in his wig and robes, holding the mace, stands in the centre pointing at America and saying to Bute, "I give you that man's money for my use". Two figures on the left encourage Bute and the Speaker: A monk (3), kneels on the ground holding out towards Bute a cross and the model of a gibbet saying "Te Deum". Behind him, and on the extreme left., stands (2), a figure representing France, wearing bag-wig, solitaire, and feathered hat; he is flourishing his sword and saying, Begar Just so en France. The words spoken by (2) and (3) are bracketed with the word "Accomplices". In the background, on the horizon, are two towns: (8) Quebec (1.) standing on a cliff, its spires and buildings surrounded by a wall, its castle flying the Union flag; (9) Boston, on the sea level, is in flames; (8) is described as "The French Roman Catholick Town of Quebeck"; (9) is "The English Protestant Town of Boston". 1 April 1775 -- This contrast is an attack on the Quebec Act and on the punitive measures taken against Massachusetts for the Boston tea-party. The attack on the Quebec Act as the establishment of Roman Catholicism in Canada is further stressed by the figures of the monk and of France, see BMSat 5228, &c. It is to be noted that the date of the print is before the opening of hostilities at Lexington, 19 Apr. 1775, cf. BMSat 5287. The words of Bute and the action of the Speaker indicate that America was being taxed for the benefit of England, while the title derides the theory that the colonists, like Englishmen without the franchise, were "virtually represented" in the House of Commons. See 'Cambridge Mod. Hist.', vii. 193 f. and M. C. Tyler, 'Literary History of the American Revolution', i. 103-5, 305 ff. Similar in manner and intention to BMSat 5287 and probably by the same artist.
The British Museum, 1984,0605.1600 Issued in: Pennsylvania (state)
Central circular motif, 'AMERICAN CONGRESS WE ARE ONE', rays emanating toward 13 linked circles each inscribed with different American state. (reverse) Depiction of the sun, with face, rays emanating toward sun dial. 'FUGIO MIND YOUR BUSINESS' printed beneath, in thin linear border to right of inscription. (obverse)
US Congress, Thirty-Five Dollar-Note, 1779 (2)
US Congress, Thirty-Five Dollar-Note, 1779
The British Museum, CIB.16027 Issuer: Government of United States of America Issued in: Philadelphia (USA)
US Congress, Sixty-Five-Dollar-Note, 1779, issued in Philadelphia (2)
US Congress, Sixty-Five-Dollar-Note, 1779, issued in Philadelphia
British Museum, CIB.16028 Issuer: Government of United States of America Issued in: Philadelphia (USA)
Fake US Congress, Three-Dollar-Note, 1775
The British Museum, CIB.7931 Banknote Forgery (3 dollars). Issued in: Philadelphia (USA)