Introduction

A Boxing Match, Or Another Bloody Nose for John Bull

Read on for clues about the captions and meaning of the cartoon.

Open a larger version of the political cartoon A Boxing Match, Or Another Bloody Nose for John Bull here.
  • King George III stands at left, his nose bleeding and eye blackened.
  • The opponent is James Madison.
  • Two ships are engaged in battle in the background.
  • The caption for King George III says, "Stop, Stop, Stop Brother Jonathan, or I shall fall with the loss of blood – I thought to have been too heavy for you – But I must acknowledge your superior skill – Two blows to my one! – And so well directed too! Mercy, mercy on me, how does this happen!!!"
  • The caption for James Madison says, "Ha-Ah Johnny! you thought yourself a Boxer did you! – I'll let you know we are an Enterprizeing Nation and ready to meet you with equal force any day."
  • This political cartoon is titled, A Boxing Match, Or Another Bloody Nose for John Bull. The artist gloats over naval losses suffered by England early in the War of 1812, in particular the defeat of the warship "Boxer" by the American frigate "Enterprise" in September 1813.