Printed Handkerchief

John Wilkes (1725-1797) was a controversial British political figure and a member of parliament, who became known for his defense of the rights of ordinary citizens. In the mid 1770s, he defended the cause of the American colonies. A handkerchief such as this would have been a popular accessory, not only for the citizens of London who shared Wilkes' political views, but also in America.

Wilkes holds the Magna Charta, the 1215 document that guaranteed greater rights to English citizens. Wilkes steps on papers labeled "General Warrants." This alludes to the 1763 search and arrest warrants that were issued against Wilkes and the others involved in a newspaper that Wilkes had used to criticize the administration. The handkerchief also refers to the questionable legality of general warrants, which were broad-based and lacked specifics about the alleged crime.