File:The Downfall of Mother Bank, 1833.jpg

English: The Downfall of Mother Bank, 1833.

A pro-Jackson satire applauding the President's September 1833 order for the removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the United States. The combined opposition to this move from Bank president Nicholas Biddle, Senate Whigs led by Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, and the pro-Bank press are ridiculed. On the right, Jackson, cheered on by Major Jack Downing, holds aloft an "Order for the Removal of Public Money." Jackson: "Major Jack Downing. I must act in this case with energy and decision, you see the downfall of the party engine and corrupt monopoly!!" Downing: "Hurrah! General! if this don't beat skunkin, I'm a nigger, only see that varmint Nick how spry he is, he runs along like a Weatherfield Hog with an onion in his mouth." From the document emanate lightning bolts which topple the columns and pediment of the Bank, which crash down amidst fleeing public figures and Whig editors. Around them are strewn various newspapers and sheets with "Salary $6,000" and "Printing expenses $80,000" printed on them. Henry Clay (at left, fallen): "Help me up! Webster! or I shall lose my stakes." Daniel Webster (far left): "There is a tide in the affairs of men, as Shakespeare says, so my dear Clay, look out for yourself." Nicholas Biddle, with the head and hoofs of an ass or demon, runs to the left: "It is time for me to resign my presidency." Two men flee with sacks of "fees." These fugitives may be newspaper editors Mordecai Manuel Noah and James Watson Webb, advocates of the Bank accused of being in the employ of Biddle.

REPOSITORY: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

MEDIUM: 1 print : lithograph on wove paper ; 23.2 x 33.7 cm. (image)

RELATED NAMES:

Robinson, Henry R., d. 1850.

Draw'd off from Natur by Zek. Downing, Neffu to Major Jack Downing.

Printed & Publd. by H.R. Robinson; 52 Courtlandt Stt. N.York.

TITLE: The downfall of Mother Bank

CALL NUMBER: PC/US - 1833.R661, no. 1 (A size) [P&P]

REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZ62-809 (b&w film copy neg.)

The print appears to be a reversed copy of a work of the same title by Edward Williams Clay, deposited for copyright in the New York District Court on October 5, 1833. Weitenkampf and Davison both list the Clay version.

Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1833-9.

SUBJECTS:

Noah, M. M. (Mordecai Manuel),--1785-1851. Webb, J. Watson. (James Watson),--1802-1884. Clay, Henry,--1777-1852.--Political activity. Biddle, Nicholas,--1786-1844.

Webster, Daniel,--1782-1852.