The American rattle snake

Gillray

1782

photo, print, drawing

Library of Congress

A coiled rattlesnake dominates the foreground, its body encircling several rectangular plots of land. In the background, a mountain range rises under a cloudy sky. 1 print : etching ; plate 25.4 x 33.2 cm, on sheet 26.3 x 36.1 cm. | Cartoon shows "American" snake, the emblem used by Americans as a device on their flag before the adoption of the stars and stripes, with two of three coils around units of British soldiers, commanded by Burgoyne and Cornwallis at time of their surrender. Gillray is lampooning the British war effort. The verse printed below the image reflects the widespread sympathy in England for the American cause.