"Ld Erskine" and "Sir Jas Mansfield" written in pencil at foot of sheet.
Etched in lower margin is an eighteen-line poem in three stanzas.
Publication date from George.
Item no. 150 of a collection of prints by James Sayers (PML 146857); formerly part of an album of mounted prints, now disbound.
Thomas Erskine, dressed as an officer of the Inns of Court volunteers, kneels on one knee to receive spurs from Sir James Mansfield, in legal wig and gown, who stands over him, his sword held vertically. In the foreground two pairs of privates or NCOs walk off scowling suspiciously over their shoulders at the investiture. The NCOs and Erskine wear plumed helmets and epaulets. Commentary on the vote thanking the Court Volunteers, sponsored by Richard Sheridan, who along with Erskine testified on behalf of Arthur O'Connor, the Irish revolutionary. Cf. George.