Images Dated 18th December 2008

John Jay, American statesman, from a print published in 1783, (c1880).Artist: Whymper

John Jay, American statesman, from a print published in 1783, (c1880). One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Jay (1745-1829) was President of the Continental Congress from 1778-1779 and, together with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, was one of the authors of The Federalist Papers. From 1789-1795 he served as the first Chief Justice of the United States. Jay then became Governor of New York, as which he was a prominent opponent of slavery, overseeing the passing of emancipation legislation in the state in 1799. A print from Cassell's History of the United States, by Edmund Ollier, Volume II, Cassell Petter and Galpin, London, c1880

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Captain Bainbridge and the Dey of Algiers, 1800 (c1880) Artist: Hooper

Captain Bainbridge and the Dey of Algiers, 1800 (c1880). William Bainbridge was the commander of the George Washington, sent to carry the tribute that the United States paid to the Dey of Algiers so that American merchant ships would not be attacked by him in the Mediterranean. Upon his arrival, Bainbridge anchored in Algiers harbour under the guns of the port's fort. The Dey demanded that the George Washington transport his ambassador to Constantinople or be bombarded. Bainbridge was forced to comply in order to save his ship and crew from destruction. When Thomas Jefferson became President of the United states the following year he refused to continue the policy of bribing the pirates of the North African coast to safeguard American shipping and launched a naval campaign against them (First Barbary War). A print from Cassell's History of the United States, by Edmund Ollier, Volume II, Cassell Petter and Galpin, London, c1880

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Escape of Benedict Arnold, 1780 (c1880)

Escape of Benedict Arnold, 1780 (c1880). Arnold (1741-1801) fought for the American Continental Army from the outbreak of the War of Independence in 1775, becoming one of its most effective generals, distinguishing himself at the Battle of Saratoga. He switched over to the side of the British in 1780 after becoming disillusioned at being passed over for promotion and at the alliance of the Americans with the French. He supplied the British with information about American troop dispositions and, after being given command of the fort at West Point, New York, proposed to surrender it to the British in return for £20, 000 and a Brigadier's commission. He was forced to flee before carrying out his plan after his go-between with the British, Major John Andre, was captured. A print from Cassell's History of the United States, by Edmund Ollier, Volume II, Cassell Petter and Galpin, London, c1880. A print from Cassell's History of the United States, by Edmund Ollier, Volume II, Cassell Petter and Galpin, London, c1880

© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images