To take by authority, or as if by authority.

necessary and proper clause. the congress shall have power to all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the united states, or in any department or officer thereof.

not sure but thinking i'ts cause the government was broke. not sure

the iconic cartoon that you are talking about is probably a man standing on top of a country with his legs spread wide. 

this cartoon suggests that europeans are powerful enough to subdue an entire continent. this was a satirical image that was drawn during the time of the colonization of the british empire in africa.

this image was inspired by the plans of the british empire to create telegraph lines all over africa promoting the further spread of its colonies through faster communication. the picture depicts the colonial mentality of the british empire in general as well as the struggle of africans to claim their own land. hope this ! (: