The able Doctor, or America Swallowing the Bitter Draught. Etching

Pre-American Revolution Political Engraving, The Able Doctor, or America Swallowing the Bitter Draught Engraving. An iconic cartoon from the run-up to the American Revolution. Appearing in The London Magazine of April 1774, the scene symbolizes the American colonies being forced to accept the so-called "Intolerable Acts" passed by Parliament in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party of December 1773. The imagery, "America", a half-clad Indian woman, is attacked by Mansfield, North (who is pouring the tea down her throat and has a copy of 'Boston Port Bill' in his pocket), Bute, and the Earl of Sandwich. A Frenchman and Spaniard look on, while Britannia weeps. In the foreground a "Boston Petition" lies torn on the ground, and in the background the fleet is bombarding Boston. "The alleged "cannonading" of Boston was merely propaganda. The scene was pirated by Paul Revere within a month and appeared in the May 1774 issue of the Royal American Magazine.

9" x 6.5"