Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘Search-night; or state-watchmen, mistaking honest-men for conspirators. Vide state arrests’.

'Search-night; or state-watchmen, mistaking honest-men for conspirators. Vide state arrests'. Hand coloured etching. 'Pubd. March 20th. 1798. by H. Humphrey No. 27 St James's Street'. Pitt and Dundas (the State-Watchmen) break their way into a room where Fox, Sheridan, Bedford, Norfolk, Horne Tooke and others have been plotting treasonous conspiracy. A pile of bonnets rouge sit in the corner of the room and above the fireplace is written 'Vive l'Egalite'. On the far left stands the Earl of Moira, who had recently been arguing against the British parliament's repression of the Irish people. Copies of the United Irishmen newspaper lie at his feet. In February Arthur O'Connor (editor of the United Irishmen), John Binns (Deputy of the London Corresponding Society) and other members of the United Irishmen were arrested by Pitt's Secret Service on their way to France to help a French invasion by raising a rebellion in Ireland. A 'Plan of Invasion' and 'Proceedings of the London Corresponding Society' sit on the table. 10.25x14.25 inches.