Dan the fisherman overhauled by British cruisers

A humorous but favorable portrayal of secretary of state Daniel Webster's assertive role in the dispute over American fishing rights in Canadian waters. (See also Edward W. Clay's "John Bull's Fish Monopoly, no.&1 1852-4, for background on this controversy.) The print reflects the belligerent attitude of northeastern Americans toward Britain over the matter. The powerful figure of Daniel Webster looms large in the center of the work. He stands in the fore of a small fishing boat on the Bay of Fundy, bracing his foot against the inside of the bow. He tows a line strung with fish, struggling against a party of English fishermen who pull from another small boat at left. Also lending their weight to Webster's efforts are two American fishermen behind him in the skiff. Old Dan: "Now then, pull away boys! pull away! ah theres no use, them English have got too much bottom for us &ther powerful strong in the arms. I'm afraid we'll lose our fish what shall we do? Negotiate? or Fight." American fisherman: "Why fight first & Negotiate afterwards, to be sure." Behind them are several larger vessels. The repetition of the initial "D" in the title is puzzling. It is probably a fragment of the word "Old," partially obliterated in this and other recorded impressions of the print. (Webster was seventy in 1852.)