War! Or no war - Public domain book illustration, Library of Congress

Another cartoon relating to the dispute between the United States and Great Britain over the northern boundary of American territory in Oregon. Opinion was sharply divided between support for a compromise claim of territory as far north as the forty-ninth parallel, and those who went for the more expansive 4.40 boundary. Palmer has two Irish immigrants disputing the issue. Wearing overalls, suspenders, boots, and stovepipe hats, the characters stand outside the Bowery Theater. (The Bowery section of New York City was known for its concentration of working-class Irish.) The man on the left says, "Ike! say the 49th & let's settle it amercably." The other responds, "No Sir-ree I goes for the hull of Oregon or none--I do & don't do nor-thin else." In the background, a woman sells apples and what look like nuts at a table. Behind her the theater's billboard advertises "Great Attraction. Adelgis. J.R. Scott. Cony & Blanchard."
Entered . . . 1846 by Thomas Odham.
Lith. F. & S. Palmer - 43 Ann Street N. York
Signed: F.P. (Frances Palmer).
The Library's impression was deposited for copyright on April 25, 1846.
Title appears as it is written on the item.
Weitenkampf, p. 86.
Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)
Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1846-4.