Two immediately contemporary reports of the intimidation of Scots merchants
in Williamsburg, Virginia, in November 1774 mention a "map" or a "tar
map."  Any ideas about what the writers were describing?

William Aitchison to James Parker, November 14, 1774
"Every method has been used to every one sign the Association. A large tar
map was erected near the Capitol with a Bag of feathers to it and a Barrel
of Tar underneath . . . ."

James Parker to Charles Steuart, November 27, 1774
"At Williamsburg there was a Pole erected by Order of Colo. Archibald Cary,
a strong Patriot, opposite the Raleigh Tavern upon which was hug a large
map and a bag of feathers, under it a barrel of tar. , , ,"

For what its worth (not much since it was not composed by an eye-witness),
the well-known London mezzotint "The Alternative of Williams-burgh" has a
tar barrel and bag of feathers hanging from a post that bears the motto "A
Cure to the Refractory" -- and the Botetourt statue in the left background
. . . but nothing visible that suggests a map. . .
Jon Kukla
________________
www.JonKukla.com <http://www.jonkukla.com/>

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