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A man wearing a hat labeled “Oregon,” and holding two handguns, gives Chinese men a “Hobson’s choice” or the option of leaving by jumping off a cliff into the sea below (on the right) or staying and being shot to death (on the left). At his feet is a “Treaty with China” torn in half.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1886-02-24
Creator(s)
Wales, James Albert, 1852-1886
Period
Dakota Rancher (June 1884-1886)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Hobson’s choice – you can go or stay. [February 24, 1886]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288008. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Wales, James Albert, 1852-1886. Hobson’s choice – you can go or stay. [24 Feb. 1886]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288008.
APA:
Wales, James Albert, 1852-1886., [1886, February 24]. Hobson’s choice – you can go or stay.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288008.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
