Spoof on the decadence and pretensions of the American local militiamen of the Jacksonian era showing a courtmartial of a militiaman. Several white officers sit around a table, many dozing, others commenting on the trial's length, stipend, and eventual outcome. Behind them rest oversize militia hats and a sword inscribed in Latin, "Guided by Patriotism." Two African American men, portrayed in racist caricature and speaking in the vernacular, presume that the officer holding the "List of Witnesses" and who is inquiring about the defendant’s profession "...mus be Col. Pluck or some sich great man." The defendant claims that he is "a self taught gentleman" who "showed considerable genius for this profession." Col. Pluck was an illiterate hostler elected colonel of the 84th Pennsylvania militia in a controversial election in 1824., Title from item., Artist supplied by Reilly., Possible publication date supplied by Weitenkampf., Purchase 1970., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014., Johnston, known as the American Cruikshank, was a respected comic illustrator, engraver, and lithographer.
Creator
Johnston, David Claypoole, 1799-1865, artist
Date
[between 1832 and 1835]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Political Cartoons - 1832-3 [7876.F]
