Settling the French Question on Our Own Responsibility or/ a Hickory apology, to assure Monsieur Bag and Tail, that Uncle Sam, isn't quite sich a tarnal. mean critter as to give up/ 25000, 000 of Francs; for fear of a French dab in the Chops!! Ah ha!!
date: label: Date made
content: 1836
name: label: depicted
content: Jackson, Andrew
label: depicted
content: Louis Philippe King of France
label: maker
content: Akin, James
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: This 1836 print was created in response to President Andrew Jackson’s attempt to claim monetary compensation for French spoliations dating to the Napoleonic Wars. During the Napoleonic Wars (1803 to 1815), France, ruled by Napoleon Bonaparte, and their allies, engaged in a series of major conflicts as an extension of the French Revolution. The main target of these conflicts was Great Britain and their allies, but American merchant ships were often damaged by the French Navy. Negotiations to ratify these marine losses began during the war, but rather than helping, they are partially to blame for starting the War of 1812. Dealings with France regarding this issue were at a stalemate, but early in his first term Jackson proposed the Franco-American Treaty of 1831, calling for France to pay twenty five million francs to the United States to cover the spoliation claims from American merchants. Following this, France led by King Louis Phillippe paid European claims, but ignored those of the United States. This angered Jackson, and he threatened military intervention if France did not pay. The threats frustrated France, but they agreed to pay only if Jackson apologized. When he refused, payment was again taken off the table. In 1836, Jackson finally conceded, and with the help of Great Britain, negotiated to receive the payments. In this print, Jackson is depicted as shirtless and barefoot with his fists raised, ready to fight King Louis Phillippe. King Louis is royally attired, but his crown is slipping from his head, symbolizing the breakdown in France’s decision not to pay the money to the United States. Neptune, god of the Sea, with his trident stands behind Jackson, giving him advice. He suggests using the “bully breaker” “Old Iron Sides,” depicted in the water behind Jackson. Behind King Louis are a group of frogs labeled "Corps de Legislateurs" who are complaining about the Americans in French, saying that all the United States wants is money and that the King should not back down.
label: Description (Brief)
content: The lithographer of this print is James Akin (1773-1846). Akin was born in Charleston, South Carolina circa 1773. He worked as an engraver, lithographer, print publisher, portraitist, painter, cartoonist/caricaturist, druggist and restaurant owner in Philadelphia between 1794 and 1846. While primarily based in Philadelphia, he did work briefly as an engraver in Salem and Newburyport, Massachusetts between about 1804 and 1807. In addition to producing prints, Akin manufactured bookplates, trade cards, book illustrations, and transfer prints for ceramic pieces. His last name has appeared in Philadelphia city directories and advertisements as Aikin, Aitken, and Aiken. Akin’s business moved often during his career, but he produced most of his lithographs including “Settling the French Question” at his 18 Prune Street establishment. His wife Ophelia, also an engraver, continued to operate as an engraver at the Prune Street location following his death on July 16, 1846.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
topic: label: Subject
content: War of 1812
label: Subject
content: Economy
label: Subject
content: U.S. National Government, executive branch
label: Subject
content: Patriotism and Patriotic Symbols
label: Subject
content: Diplomacy
label: Subject
content: Costume
label: Subject
content: Political Caricatures
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
label: See more items in
content: Peters Political Prints
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content: Art
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content: Domestic Furnishings
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Harry T. Peters "America on Stone" Lithography Collection
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: DL.60.3433
label: catalog number
content: 60.3433
objectType: label: Object Name
content: Lithograph
label: Object Type
content: Lithograph
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: image: 7 1/2 in x 12 1/2 in; 19.05 cm x 31.75 cm