In honor of legislation and compromise

talk of an ostrich.jpg

Design attributed to Benjamin West (1738-1820), Talk of an Ostrich! An Ostrich is nothing to him; Johnny Bull will swallow any thing!! 1795. Etching. GA 2011.00702. Gift of Dickson Q. Brown, Class of 1895.

In this caricature, William Pitt (1759-1806) is using a musket to force Convention Bills down the throat of England. Pitt says “What, it sticks in your throat does it? Oh, I’ll ram it down I warrant you. And when it is once past, you’ll easily digest it. You must not be obstinate Johnny, when Laws are made, you have nothing to do but to obey them.”