English: Integrity retiring from Office!

Js. Gillray, invt & ft.

SUMMARY: A group of resigning ministers, led by Pitt who holds a document entitled "Justice of Emancipating ye Catholicks", leaving through an arched gateway inscribed "Treasury." Following Pitt are Dundas, Grenville, Spencer and Loughborough. From the left, represented by a plebian rabble, is the Opposition, led by Sheridan and Tierney. Behind are Jekyll, Bedford, Nicholls, Tyrhwitt Jones, Norfolk and Burdett. The Opposition is held at bay by a sentry with G.R. on his bearskin. The sentry stands near his sentry-box with the placard: G.R. Orders for keeping all improper Persons out of the Public Offices.

MEDIUM: 1 print : etching, hand-colored.

CREATED/PUBLISHED: [London] : H. Humphrey, 1801 Feby 24th.

According to Wright & Evans, Historical and Descriptive Account of the Caricatures of James Gillray (1851, OCLC 59510372), p. 203, "On the resignation of Pitt's Ministry, in the February of 1801. The Whigs whose tattered appearance would certainly entitle them to be classed under the head of 'improper persons,' are rushing to obtain the places thus vacated, but are held back by the sentinel at the Treasury gate, who perhaps is intended to represent Addington, the Premier who succeeded Pitt."