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 handsome map of the United States extends to include part of Canada. The map features the 54-40 or Fight border with the huge Northwest region extending well into British Columbia. The entire Northwest is labeled Columbia and shows several rivers emptying into the Pacific that have dubious sources in lakes to the west of the Rockies. The area of today's Missouri is divided into three areas: Howard, St. Louis, and C. Girardeau. Arkansas is half its current size, with the northern half called Lawrence. The map shows Mexico in control of the entire Southwest just four years after winning independence from Spain with the signing of the Treaty of Cordoba. Finely engraved by Giraldon-Bovinet and published in Paris by Menard and Desenne. Crisp engraved line and full keyboard-style border.

References: Wheat (TMW) #365.

Condition: A

Original outline color with faint damp stains in the top blank margin.