This map of the United States shows the existing (finished and unfinished) railroads in the eastern states with a proposed railroad shown beginning at Prairie du Chin and stretching toward the Pacific through South Pass. The map portrays the United States prior to the acquisition of California and the Southwest, with a large Oregon Territory and a large Texas. The map, engraved by O.H. Throop, was issued in "Memorial of A. Whitney Praying A grant of public land to enable him to construct a railroad from lake Michigan to the Pacific ocean," which is included in this lot.

Asa Whitney was one of the first backers of an American Transcontinental Railway. It was as early as 1830 that Whitney first became enthralled with railroads and foresaw their future role in business and transport. Whitney's proposed route from Lake Michigan through South Pass to the Pacific was not accepted mainly because of the growing sectionalism before the Civil War. However, the map and report are an important part of the railroad history of the United States.

References:

Condition: A

Map with some folds reinforced with tissue on verso. Later color. Report very toned.