‘French alias Corsican Villainy or the Contrast to English Humanity’, 1803 (etching, coloured)

‘French alias Corsican Villainy or the Contrast to English Humanity’, 1803. Coloured engraving by and after Charles Williams, published by S W Fores, London, 13 January 1804. This print aims to show British humanity in contrast to French brutality. It also illustrates the historic belief that black soldiers were naturally aggressive and needed to be guided by British officers. On the left Napoleon can be seen ordering the death of prisoners of war and civilians. The figure beside Napoleon is Doctor Desgenettes, who reportedly refused Napoleon’s order to poison sick French soldiers with opium at the Siege of Jaffa (1799). On the right British officers are shown restraining black soldiers from killing French prisoners of war after the battle at San Domingo (1803).