The United States Government. This expression is traced by Mr. Albert Matthews, in his most valuable monograph of 45 pp. (American Antiquarian Society, vol. xix. of Proceedings) to the year 1813; and the starred quotations below are taken from that source. Mr. Matthews disposes of the legend that connects the origin of the phrase with Samuel Wilson, inspector of provisions at Troy, N.Y., in 1812–3.
[1800. I have heard that uncle Jonathan and some of the rest of ’em say, &c.—The Aurora, Phila., July 14.]
*1813. Loss upon loss, and no ill luck stiring (sic) but what lights upon Uncle Sam’s shoulders, exclaim the Government editors…. Note. This cant name for our government has got almost as current as “John Bull.” The letters U.S. on the government waggons, &c., are supposed to have given rise to it.—Troy Post, Sept. 7.
*1813. [A battle royal occurred recently] between what are called in this part of the country Uncle Sam’s men and the Men of New York…. [It] ended in the complete discomfiture of Uncle Sam’s party.—Lansingburgh Gazette, late in Sept., or possibly Oct. 1.
*1813. The pretence is that Uncle Sam, the now popular explication of the U.S. does not pay well. Communication from Burlington, Vt., Oct. 1.—Columbian Centinel, Oct. 9.
*1814. “Uncle Sam’s” hard bargains.—Herkimer (N.Y.) paper, Jan. 27.
*1816. Pat … fastened himself upon Uncle Sam, who was a liberal, good-hearted old fellow, that kept open house to all comers.—J. K. Paulding, ‘Letters from the South,’ ii. 210. See also pp. 211–2. (Italics in the original.)
*1823. In their [Americans’] eyes Uncle Sam is a right slick, mighty fine, smart, big man.—W. Faux, ‘Memorable Days in America,’ p. 126 (Lond.). See also pp. 99, 140, 162, 215, 225, 262, 381. (Italics in the original.)
1823. This [in Kentucky] is the third or fourth town of Washington which I have passed since I quitted the metropolis of Uncle Sam.—Id., p. 188. (Italics in the original.)
1823. A part of the rations for which Uncle Sam was paying regularly double price.—Howard Gazette, Boston, Nov. 22 (p. 2, col. 3).
1827. At his back he bore a knap-sack, which was marked by the well known initials that have since gained for the government of the United States, the good-humoured and quaint appellation of Uncle Sam.—J. F. Cooper, ‘The Prairie,’ i. 147–8.
1828. Waited on by his own servants, in his own house [Gen. Jackson] made Uncle Sam pay hire for them.—Richmond Whig, July 12, p. 3/4.
1830. Uncle Sam would have been no gainer by the exchange.—N. Ames, ‘A Mariner’s Sketches,’ p. 16.
1841. [All this was] at the expense of Uncle Sam.—Mr. Buchanan of Pa., U.S. Senate, Jan. 22: Cong. Globe, p. 111, App.
1841. In any event, Uncle Sam will be safe—he can’t be sued.—The same, Dec. 29., id., p. 45, App.
1843. That easy-natured and rather soft-pated old gentleman, Uncle Sam.—B. R. Hall (‘Robert Carlton’), ‘The New Purchase,’ i. 83.
1849. It [the question of mileage] would be all a matter of guess work. And who guessed for the treasury? who guessed for Uncle Sam?—Mr. Horace Greeley of New York, House of Repr., Jan. 11: Cong. Globe, p. 230.
1852. I will suppose a Gentile owns all these kanyons, Uncle Sam for instance.—Brigham Young, Oct. 9: ‘Journal of Discourses,’ i. 214.
1853. A company was dispatched by ‘Uncle Samuel’ to make a survey of the State of Illinois.—Knick. Mag., xlii. 204 (Aug.).
1854. I think Uncle Sam is one of the Lord’s boys that He will take the rod to first, and make him dance nimbly to his own tune.—J. M. Grant, at the Mormon Tabernacle, April 2: ‘Journal of Discourses,’ ii. 148.
1855. They think it is Uncle Sam they have to deal with, and Uncle Sam is a fat goose, to be plucked by everybody.—Mr. Thompson of Kentucky, U.S. Senate, Feb. 17: Cong. Globe, p. 793.
1864. The gunboats of Uncle Sam passed up the Ohio river, burning every flat-boat and every description of river craft that could possibly be used … to enable John Morgan to get across the river.—Mr. Dumont of Indiana, House of Repr., March 2: Cong. Globe, p. 917/3.
