Can anyone explain this historical Political cartoon for me?

Question: Can anyone explain this historical Political cartoon for me!?

I know that specie means hard money like gold, but i cannot figure out what this cartoon, published in 1837, means:

http://www!.dlfaquifer!.org/search/item/Wh!.!.!.

Can anyone help me out!?
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Hmmm, where to start !.!.!.

To begin with, the cartoon is set around 1790-1800!. There are sixteen stars in the US flag, France is set under the tricolour, and Britain is seemingly under the old (pre-1801) Union flag (and a distorted upside-down adaptation at that)!. In addition, the American currency is 'sovereigns', i!.e!. pounds sterling, not dollars!. This all points to a date well before 1837, the year in which it is "Enter'd according to Act of Congrefs in the year 1837 by HK(!?) Robinson", and hence presumably archived!.

That said !.!.!.

The basic idea seems to be that American actions do not match their words!. While expressing sentiments that they would like Britain to have their money, they are in fact carefully keeping it out of reach!. Even the revolutionary French, traditional friends of the Americans, see it is a deception!.

The French cockerel is standing on a bag that appears to be labelled 'indemnity'!. This gives us a clue that the money in question is meant as a war indemnity or other form of compensation offered or at least owed by the US, but of which the actual payment is carefully being avoided!. Compensation claims arising from the American War of Independence were in many cases still being resolved years afterwards, and it looks as if the cartoon is satirising some American dodge to avoid payment!.

That at least is my best guess!. Hope it helps!.Www@QuestionHome@Com