A General Discharge, Thomas Rowlandson, 1809

Or the darling angel’s finishing stroke mrs. (mary anne) clarke was mistress to the duke of york, commander-in-chief in the british navy. To support her lavish lifestyle, she took bribes from people seeking the duke's support for military, civil, or even clerical favors. Her actions became a public scandal and, in 1809 (the year this drawing was published) the duke was accused before the house of commons of abuse of military patronage, and an inquiry was launched. Mrs. Clarke testified at the inquiry, and the charges were proved against the duke, though it was shown he gained no benefit himself from mrs. Clarke's actions. He resigned his post as commander-in-chief and broke off with mrs. Clarke, paying a lifetime settlement in order to prevent her from publishing his letters. In the drawing, she sits astride a large cannon, hammering a spike into it. The duke of york is on the ground looking back over his shoulder, stating that she is the source of his ruin. In the background, two military officers and a cleric run away, and another female figure (george claims it is mrs. Clarke) beats the "rogue's drum" as other soldiers retreat from her. Reference source: george #11250 subjects (lcsh): political cartoons; history--caricatures & cartoons; frederick augustus, duke of york and albany, 1763-1827; clarke, mary ann thompson, 1776-1852. Date: 1809. Place of creation: Cheapside, London. Medium: etching. Collection: University of Washington. A General Discharge (NAPOLEON 150)