1-150-650 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

Yankee Doodle, 1872. America rides into Geneva on a spotted circus horse with Mr Punch heckling in the background. This cartoon relates to a matter that had been going on since the end of the American Civil War. The Alabama Claims had been prompted by the damage done to American commerce by the 'Alabama', a privateer fitted out in England. The main issue was whether England should have accepted responsibility for preventing the ship from leaving England. The amount of the claim for indirect damages continued to grow. The persons appointed to arbitrate on the claim were now meeting in Geneva. A 'pony' can also refer to the old slang term for the sum of £25.00. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 23, 1872.