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.

Attractive copper-engraved map showing an independent Republic of Texas with Austin shown as the capital (despite the coloring suggesting that Texas is part of the United States, the engraved border along the Red River indicates an independent Texas). Mexico is in control of the Southwest and the border between the United States and Canada extends well into present-day British Columbia, reflecting U.S. interests in the area. West of the Mississippi there is little detail except for the river system and a few place names.

References: cf. Rumsey #2120; cf. Phillips (Atlases) #770.

Condition: B

Original outline color with some moderate, even-age toning and a few small spots.