The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was sparked by the maritime policies of Great Britain, its war with Napoleon, and the relationship between Native Americans and their British allies in Canada and the Old Northwest. The situation was aggravated by Americans living in the southern and western portions of the United States, who were interested in attaching Canada and Florida to the new nation.
Upon emigrating to New York in 1806, William Charles (1776-1820) opened a book and print shop, but met with little success. In 1814 he moved to Philadelphia and published a series of caricatures on the War of 1812. These prints were to bring him fame as the first American political cartoonist. Charles' style is in keeping with that of James Gillray (1756-1815) and Thomas Rowlandson (1756/7-1827) with its rough humor. He created Bruin Become MEDIATOR or Negotiation for PEACE while in New York in 1813.
William Charles also created JOHNNY BULL and the ALEXANDRIANS while in Philadelphia in 1814.
William Elmes was active as a caricaturist from 1811 - 1820. Little is known about Elmes, though its seems that he received no formal training as a caricaturist. Naval topics frequently appear in his cartoons, like The Yankey Torpedo. This work was published in 1813 by the London book and print seller Thomas Tegg.