The Dons Outwitted or John Bull in Time for Once (caricature)

In this hand-coloured print, two British sailors have ambushed two Spanish dons who stand on the left. The Spaniards, dressed in colourful slashed tunics that were a typical depiction in British caricatures, appear shocked and panicked as the central sailor holds a coin filled bindle out of reach. The other British sailor stands on the right, filling his top hat with coins from chests labelled ‘Dollars’. Visible behind them, on the right, is the ‘Fama’, a Spanish treasure frigate that was captured by the British during the Battle of Cape Santa Maria in October 1804. The controversial action aided the start of the Anglo-Spanish war. In this print, a British Red Ensign can be seen rigged above the Spanish Ensign.

The leftmost don cries ‘Oh Master Jean Bull You have bruise my poor Scull You blow up my poor Comrade You brake my heart, you take all de Money – Vas for Boneyparte’. His companion states ‘Ah ha Monsieur, Bull, you never declare de War, nor we no declare it yet, before we got home all de Treasure’. The central sailor replies ‘What you did not expect I suppose, but as we were up to your tricks, we thought it best to be down upon your Dollars & you may tell Boney this is not the last disappointment he will meet with.’ The remaining sailor adds ‘I say Old one, what we got Weathergage of you he? Mayhap you’ll come to an explanation now, so send your Friend Boney to settle it.’