In this undated caricature, Andrew Jackson stands holding papers in front of a sky decorated with rings of “Glory” indicating his accomplishments. The events chosen as glories solidify that this lithograph is a critique of Jackson, because they highlight some of the unsavory aspects of his life and presidency. The “Ambuthnot and Ambrister Glory” refers to an incident during the 1st Seminole War (1818), where Jackson came under Congressional scrutiny for the execution of two British officers, and the “Destruction of the US Bank Glory” speaks to Jackson’s hatred and subsequent undermining of the Second National Bank of America. In Jackson’s hands are papers reading, “Removing the Deposits Glory,” referring to his decision to take money from the National Bank and redistribute it to local banks around the country. In the image, Jackson is accompanied by fictional character, Major Jack Downing. Created by journalist Seba Smith, the allegorical persona of Downing symbolized the common man and came to typify the New England Yankee as full of common sense. In this image, Downing speaks to Jackson, saying that his last “Ring of Glory” was such a bust that he would have been better of skunk hunting in Downingville- a symbol for mainstream America.
The lithographer of this print is Ezra Bisbee (1820-1856). Bisbee was a political cartoonist and print maker based in New York City and Brooklyn as well as on the island of Antigua.