The fox chace

The artist's portrayal of Harrison's rout of Van Buren reflects strong Whig confidence late in the presidential campaign of 1840. Van Buren is shown as a fox, with a bird (an albatross?) labeled "Treasury" around his neck. He flees from a pack of barrel-trunked hounds, and from Whig senators Daniel Webster (center) and Henry Clay, toward the White House steps. From the steps William Henry Harrison warns him away with a pitchfork. Van Buren: "I must get to cover as soon as possible, my race is nearly run! D---n these cider barrel hounds." Harrison: "Oh ho! you are making for the White house my boy! but it's no longer a cover for you, I'm put here to keep you out of it!" Webster: "He is nearly run out! he will not go another turn! see how his tail droops!" Clay: ". . . Look out General or he'll get into his hole!" The barrels are labeled "Tip's Dog," "Hard Cider 1841," "Reform 1841," and "Better Times."