An uncommon map of the early United States and one of the first printed maps to name Frankland. Also known as Franklinia, it is shown here just west of the border of North Carolina and named Pays de Frankland. In 1785, settlers in western North Carolina and what would become eastern Tennessee organized a state government to be named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. Congress turned down their appeal but the state maintained a legislature and governor until 1788. This ephemeral state appears on only a small number of maps. The state of Vermont is named and noted in the key at right, with a notation in French that it was 'not yet accepted in the confederation'. Virginia is shown in a strange configuration and there is a square-shaped region denoted as Pays de Kentukey to the west of it. Indiana is noted in the vicinity of present-day West Virginia. This region was a major contention between the private Indiana Land Company and the State of Virginia in the latter part of the 18th century. The argument over ownership of the property resulted in the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Indiana Land Company lost its claim to the land. This map was published by Michel Guillaume De Crevecoeur, a French-born surveyor, who settled in New York where he produced his classic collection of twelve essays that reflected on the nature of American life, particularly its customs and manners. His description of bountiful American lands spurred many French people to immigrate to America.

References: McCorkle #787.8; Mapforum 1, Checklist of Early Maps of the US #69; Baynton-Williams (TMC-72) #1.

Condition: B

Issued folded with an old paper repair along one fold. There is also some scattered foxing.