Fall of British Tyranny, the; or, American Liberty Triumphant

Fall of British Tyranny, the; or, American Liberty Triumphant (1776), a political satire (“tragi‐comedy”) by John Leacock. Lord North and Governor Hutchinson, called Lord Catspaw and Judas in the play, conspire to convince the English cabinet that the American rebels can be readily defeated. They are opposed by Camden, Wilkes, Burke, and Pitt (called Lord Justice, Lord Patriot, Bold Irishman, and Lord Wisdom respectively). The battle of Lexington and the war in Virginia are depicted, after which Generals Gage, Howe, and Burgoyne (called here Lord Boston, Elbow Room, and Mr. Caper) blame each other for the early debacles. A final scene shows Washington and his men at camp. The work, which was published but has no record of production, was probably the earliest American chronicle play and the first to portray Washington on stage. This sprawling prose piece was designed to stimulate patriotism among the colonists. John (or, in some sources, Joseph) LEACOCK (1729–1802) was a goldsmith and silversmith and later a farmer. A well‐known Philadelphian, he was a member, possibly a founder, of the Patriotic Society of the Sons of St. Tammany and was also an acceptable poet.