This map is from the series of maps that illustrated the factious Congressional debate over the nature of the frontier defenses in the region between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. Issued under the direction of Col. J. J. Abert by W. Hood, the map depicts the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and the Indian nations bordering them to the west. It shows the locations of many military forts and outposts from Ft. Jessup to Ft. Snelling with notations throughout concerning lands ceded by several Indian nations with the dates of the treaties. The threat posed by hostile Indians, whose numbers greatly exceeded those of the area's settlers, resulted in a protracted Congressional debate concerning the defenses required along the frontier. Gratiot’s defense plan uses color to trace the common roads and rivers. A table at lower left notes the distances between forts and the equivalent "days of march" at 15 miles per day. This is the first and most desirable printing and should not be confused with a later printing (ca. 1860) in the American State Papers.

References: Wheat [TMW] #426.

Condition: B

Issued folding, now pressed and backed with archival tissue. Very fine, crisp impression. Some light scattered foxing in right portion of map. Nearly invisible tear in title area repaired, else very good.