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 finely engraved chart extends to include Cuba, Jamaica, St. Domingo, Greenland, Iceland, and all of Central America. A large area comprised of the Pacific Northwest and southern British Columbia is labeled "Western Territory" and reflect British interests in the area. Alaska is Russian Territory, and Mexico occupies California, the Southwest, and Texas. The states and provinces are not delineated in this early Hall issue. The huge area east of the Rockies is largely unnamed except for Dakoutas, but the river systems are very well delineated. The map is filled with place names including Indian villages. The title is in a simple rectangular block. Engraved by Sidney Hall.

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Condition: A

Contemporary outline color with minor scattered foxing along the border at top and a hint of printer's ink residue.