The United States collectively; Uncle Sam. (But see quot. 1788.) N.E.D., s.v. ‘Jonathan.’
1788. [A New England sea-captain, attending a college commencement, addresses his companion as “brother Jonathan.”]—American Museum, iv. 184 (Aug.).
1802. You will here naturally observe that I am not amongst the list of timed scribblers—not very much alarmed at the resentment of disappointed royalists—or the furious thunder bolts of brother Jonathan [Jonathan Trumbull?]—J. T. Callender, ‘Letters to Alexander Hamilton, King of the Feds,’ p. 20 (N.Y.).
1815. An incident “highly characteristic of John Bull and Brother Jonathan” is told in verse.—Mass. Spy, May 17.
1852. Punch cartoon, ‘John and Jonathan,’ Aug. 28.
