According to Burden (230) this is the earliest map to show the correct north-south orientation of Lake Champlain and to represent Prince Edward Island accurately. It is considered one of the most important maps of the region of the early 17th century. It is interesting to note the different languages used: the cartouche is Latin, most place names are French and the cardinal points in the margin, Dutch.
This map contains elements from previous maps; most specifically, the cartouche is copied from De Vaugondy's 1755 map of Canada. The map is hand coloured with the colours showing the British and French possessions of the area covered. The atlas this map is from was published between 1776 and 1784. Sources consulted do not specify which printing this map is from although as the 1st state it was earlier, rather than later in this period.
This map shows the Atlantic Provinces and the Province of Quebec as defined by the Royal Proclamation of 1763. Rivers, bays and settlements are named; some topographic features are shown by hachuring.
Detailed map of the region from Newfoundland to the Saint Lawrence and Nova Scotia highlighting the fishing banks. The coastlines and mountains are shown by hachuring.
This map was apparently copied from Morse's American Geography. However because there are no notes on the map and the north eastern boundary between the United States and British North America (specifically New Brunswick and Quebec) had been under negotiation at various times since 1783 we can't determine which edition of American Geography it was copied from. The topic of the north eastern boundary would have been of interest at this time as it was finally resolved in 1842.
According to McCorkle (785.4) this map was engraved by William Darton and appeared, unchanged, in Guthrie's "A new system of modern geography" from 1786-1795. No scale bar on map.
There are several interesting notes on the founding of the various English settlements covered by the map. The accompanying magazine article points out that the purpose of the map is illustrate the "just" claims of Great Britain and the "encroachments" of the French.
Shows Maine counties and the boundary lines between Maine and British North America as determined by the 1783 Treaty of Paris and that claimed by the British.
Geo-political boundaries outlined in color. Note the boundary between Maine and New Brunswick is straight. The US-Canada boundary issue would not be completely settled until the mid-1800's.
Shows boundary lines as claimed by both the British and Americans. Where there were differences another boundary line is shown referring to: "Decision of the King of Holland as arbitrator".
This is one of a series of maps produced by England and France to bolster arguments in the attempt to define the bounds of Acadie as ceded to England by the Treaty of Utrecht (1713).
"This map was intended as the title map for two other maps which when all joined would cover, south to Georgia and the Carolinas, and west to the Great Lakes based on the Mitchell map." (Kershaw 351)
