The Commissioners

Matthew Darly

April 1, 1778 · Hand-colored etching · Drawings and Prints

This satire represents five British commissioners nominated to negotiate peace with the former American colonies. They kneel before an allegorical representation of America, who sits on barrels of tobacco and rice destined for Germany, France, Holland, and Spain. The commissioners are Lord Admiral Richard Howe, General Sir William Howe, Lord Frederick Carlisle, William Eden and Commodore (Governor) George Johnstone. The print was published before the commissioners had been approved and is inaccurate, since Richard Howe and William Howe both refused to serve under Carlisle's leadership.

Artist

Matthew Darly

Date

April 1, 1778

Medium

Hand-colored etching

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883