The decapitation of a great block head by the mysterious agency of the claret coloured coat

A cryptic and anonymous satire probably referring to the 1834 "decapitation" of the wooden figure-head of Andrew Jackson, placed on the ship "Constitution" when it was refitted at Boston. The deed was perpetrated after Boston Whigs protested the newly-placed improvement. In a thunderstorm two ships, the "Independence" and "Constitution" are moored at a dock. A sentry on the deck of the former says "All's well." In the foreground another sentry sleeps leaning on a post. Two small demons have just removed the head of Jackson from the figure-head, and it is borne off by an empty coat. Malcolm Johnson (no. 142) records another satire on this incident, produced by David Claypool Johnston for Anthony Imbert.Title appears as it is written on the item.Weitenkampf, p. 26.Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1834-13