A stout naval officer (right) is attacked by a taller and slimmer officer (left), who siezes him by the coat and raises his cane to strike. A civilian stands between them holding back the aggressor. The stout officer, captain vancouver, wears an enormous sword; a fur mantle hangs from his shoulders inscribed 'this present from the king of owyhee to george iiid forgot to be delivered'. From his coat-pocket hangs a scroll which rests on the ground, part being still rolled up: 'list of those disgraced during the voyage - put under arrest all the ships crew - put into irons, every gentleman on board - broke every man of honor & spirit - promoted spies - ' his left foot is on an open book: 'every officer is the guardian of his own honor. Lord grenvills letter'. From the pocket of the civilian (vancouver's brother) projects a paper: 'chas rearcovers letter to be publish'd after the parties are bound to keep ye peace. '
vancouver's assailant, lord camelford, says: "give me satisfaction, rascal! - draw your sword, coward! what you won't? - why then take that lubber! - & that! & that! & that! & that! & that! & - vancouver, staggering back, with arms outstretched, shouts: murder! - murder! - watch! - constable! - keep him off brother! - while i run to my lord-chancellor for protection! murder! murder! murder". Behind him, on the ground, lies a pile of shackles inscribed 'for the navy'. Two very juvenile sailor-boys stand together (left) watching with delight. On vancouver's right is the lower part of a shop (right) showing a door and window in which skins are suspended. Round the door are inscriptions: 'the south-sea-fur-warehouse from china. Fine black otter skins. No contraband goods sold here. ' after the title: 'dedicated to the flag officers of the british navy. ' 1 october 1796
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1796. Dimensions: Height: 250 mm; Width: 349 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Thomas Pitt Camelford, 2nd Baron Camelford. Collection: British Museum. The Caneing in Conduit Street. (BM J,3.18)
Loading...
