Cartoon inspired by a war scare at Nantes following the arrival of the "Endeavour", of London, and the "Commerce", of Newcastle; residents feared that the appearance of the merchant ships heralded the approach of the British fleet and National troops boarded the two vessels and took away the sails. The scare was further inflamed by the appearance of some French West Indiamen, by the attempt of some aristocrats to embark in Brittany for Jersey, and by the King's flight.
Library's copy has been cropped with loss to image.
In the foreground (left) is the quarter-deck of a small vessel, on which six French soldiers with ferocious gestures are taking down the British flag; a hump-backed soldier has climbed the flagstaff, and crouches with drawn sword, saying, "oh by Gar I was on de Pinnicle of my Glory". Through his ragged breeches issues the word 'Commandant'. In the lower left corner of the design is the head of an English sailor, saying, "that sweet little Cherub that sits up aloft he will shortly come wap on his Back". Two men bite the flag. Another, very emaciated, says, "aha Monr Angloise we was Men Enough (40.000) to take de whole fleet". Two other soldiers peer over the edge of the vessel. The ship is in harbour, behind her is another (English) vessel whose flag is being removed and sails furled. A British sailor stands in a boat on the extreme right, shouting, "avast Bougres well teach you to take 2 Merchant ships for a fleet of Men of War again". On the horizon are buildings inscribed 'Nantes'. Across the sky is etched 'Rehearsal'. Cf. George.