By Doug Boilesen 2023

The following Canadian cartoons from 1849 to 1878 were part of the compilation "A Caricature History of Canadian Politics - Events from the Union of 1841, as from Grip, and Vaious Other Sources," by The Grip Printing & Publishing Co., 1886.

The preface of that book notes that "CARICATURE HISTORY” does not mean that history is caricatured. On the contrary, a good caricature enables us to see, in a true light, facts that might otherwise be hidden or misrepresented. We understand current events and the social life of England from the illustrations of "Punch" more truly than from the columns of the "Times" or the "Morning Post." (Ibid. p. 7)

The extracted cartoons here are limited to Brother Jonathan and Uncle Sam as depicted by Canadian newspapers and cartoonists. As such they reveal who the cartoonists felt was the appropriate US symbol (i.e., Brother Jonathan or Uncle Sam) to portray in various subjects related to US-Canadian relationships -- primarily annexation of Canada, but also US government policies affecting Indian and human rights, financial interests and trade agreements/disputes, etc.

Each cartoon is preceded with a description/interpretation of the artwork, and its source.

 

Results of the Annexation Engine as exemplifed by Brother Jonathan, Punch in Canada, 1849.

A Caricature History of Canadian Politics by J.W.A. Bengough, Vol. 1&2, Toronto: The Grip Printing & Publishing Co., 1886, p. 43 (Courtesy Library of the University of Toronto).

 

The attempt to pawn the British flag to Brother Jonathan is the 1886 description for this cartoon. The doorway of the pawnship has a sign, however, that says "Uncle Sam," perhaps reflecting how the roles and identification of Uncle Sam and Brother Jonathan were still being defined in the 1880's. The attempt to pawn England's flag ties into the question of annexation which in the previous Punch 1849 showed Brother Jonathan driving the Annexation Engine. Punch in Canada, 1849.

A Caricature History of Canadian Politics by J.W.A. Bengough, Vol. 1&2, Toronto: The Grip Printing & Publishing Co., 1886, p. 43 (Courtesy Library of the University of Toronto).

 

The Canadian opinion on the question of Annexation by the US was represented in this 1869 cartoon (with Cousin (Brother) Jonathan as the intended spouse). Diogenes, June 18, 1869.

A Caricature History of Canadian Politics by J.W.A. Bengough, Vol. 1&2, Toronto: The Grip Printing & Publishing Co., 1886, p. 47 (Courtesy Library of the University of Toronto).

The anti-annexation sentiment in Canada wanted to literally kick-out Uncle Sam from Canada in this 1869 cartoon. Grinchuckle, September 23, 1869.

A Caricature History of Canadian Politics by J.W.A. Bengough, Vol. 1&2, Toronto: The Grip Printing & Publishing Co., 1886, p. 109 (Courtesy Library of the University of Toronto).

 

Miss Canada explains to Brother (Cousin) Jonathan that building the Canada-Pacific Railway should stop the "foolish talk about annexation." Brother Jonathan responds with a country bumpkin dialect of "Wal, Miss, I guess you're about right thar..." Diogenes, November 5, 1869.

A Caricature History of Canadian Politics by J.W.A. Bengough, Vol. 1&2, Toronto: The Grip Printing & Publishing Co., 1886, p. 109 (Courtesy Library of the University of Toronto).

 

Two Canadian Maritime Provinces vie for political favor in Confederation elections which are experiencing reversals in results. Meanwhile, Uncle Sam observes from a hill in the distance. Canadian Illustrated News, May 4, 1872.

A Caricature History of Canadian Politics by J.W.A. Bengough, Vol. 1&2, Toronto: The Grip Printing & Publishing Co., 1886, p. 147 (Courtesy Library of the University of Toronto).

 

Canadian Senator Brown's mission to the Washington to secure a reciprocity treaty between Canada and the United States failed. As Brown apologized to the Canadian Senate for his failure he explains why it happened:

"That I had taken away this old man's Profit! It is most True. True, he perceived that fact. The head and front of my offending math. This extent - No more."

Listening on the stage with Brown, Uncle Sam is seen chuckling with laughter. Grip, February 27, 1875.

A Caricature History of Canadian Politics by J.W.A. Bengough, Vol. 1&2, Toronto: The Grip Printing & Publishing Co., 1886, p. 253 (Courtesy Library of the University of Toronto).

 

In a fisheries dispute with Canada which went against the United States, the American representive Mr. Kellogg sought to invalidate the decision since he said it was not unanimous. Jonathan, defending the US position says "Crawl out of that loophole? Hunkerslide? Never! Grip, December 1, 1877.

A Caricature History of Canadian Politics by J.W.A. Bengough, Vol. 1&2, Toronto: The Grip Printing & Publishing Co., 1886, p. 377 (Courtesy Library of the University of Toronto).

Note: In the book's introductory section SKETCH OF CANADIAN POLITICAL HISTORY, the following provided background about the 1872 Washington Treaty granting fishing rights to the United States in Canadian water and the $5,500,000 award which was eventually paid after "much grumbling by Congress."

In 1872 Sir John Macdonald was appointed one of the British Commissioners for the arrangement of a treaty involving the fishery interests of Canada, amongst other important matters, as between Great Britain and the United States. The result of the Commissioners’ labors is known as the Washington Treaty, which was ratified in that year. By this document, inter alia, the right to take fish in Canadian waters was extended to the United States for the period of ten years in consideration of a money payment, the amount subsequently. agreed upon by a joint Commission, which met at Halifax in 1877, being $5,500,000. This the Americans paid, but only after a protest on flimsy grounds by their representative, Mr. Kellogg, and much grumbling by Congress. (Ibid. p. 31).

 

 

 

Annotations - Phonographia.com