Pretty Story, A

Pretty Story, A, pamphlet by Francis Hopkinson, published under the pseudonym Peter Grievous. A satirical political allegory, tracing the events that led up to the first Continental Congress, it was issued at Philadelphia (Sept. 1774) during the assembling of the Congress.

An old Nobleman (George III), possessing a valuable farm (England), permits some of his children to settle on his new farm (America), with the provision that they must purchase from his shop all their merchandise (Navigation Acts), although they may make some of their own laws. The Nobleman's Wife (Parliament) lays taxes upon the New Farm, and sends lazy servants to spy upon it. Meanwhile the Steward (Ministry) debauches the old Nobleman's Wife, and, gaining power over her, orders the children to stamp all their plate with a certain mark, for which they are to pay a stipend (Stamp Act). He also orders the new settlers to pay a tax on Water‐Gruel (tea tax), but one of them named Jack (Boston), driven to despair, demolishes a cargo of this gruel (Boston Tea Party). Vengeance follows when Jack's gate is padlocked (Boston Port bill), and an overseer (General Gage) is sent to hector him and his family. Finally Jack and the other families of the New Farm are so irritated that… Here the story breaks off with a row of 13 stars.