The United States and Great Britain established in 1818 joint claim over the Oregon Territory - the region north of Spanish controlled Upper California up to the southern boundary of Russia's Alaska Territory at North latitude 54°40'. By the late 1830's this arrangement was beginning to fall apart. In the 1840's the expansionist Democrats, including their 1844 presidential candidate, James Polk, claimed the entire region for the United States. Their expansionist desires were expressed by Polk's famous campaign slogan, "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" The slogan also became a rally cry for Americans desiring to settle the territory. Following Polk's election, the dispute was resolved by the 1846 Treaty of Oregon, which struck a compromise that fixed the U.S./Canadian boundary at 49º North.

This great pre-Mexican War map shows Mexico in control of the Southwest and California. Texas is shown as part of the United States. Above Texas is an unnamed Missouri Territory including the Great American Desert stretching to Canada. Iowa Territory is in it's largest configuration, and Oregon Territory takes in the entire Northwest and extends well into Canada, reflecting U.S. interests in the region. The map is filled with place names, the location of Indian tribes, and details the river systems.

References: cf. Phillips (Atlases) #770.

Condition: B+

Light even-age toning and a few minor spots of soil. The verso has a small newspaper clipping adhered to the sheet that does not impact the map image.