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.

A remarkable example of scarce Florentine map production that is finely engraved and delicately colored and detailed. The United States is shown extending to the Pacific and well into British America, here called Nuovo Hannovre, reflecting the Oregon boundary dispute only a year after both the United States and Great Britain established a joint claim over the territory. Mexico is in control of the entire Southwest including Texas, which is named. Santa Fe is located. An enlarged Florida has indistinct borders. Details include watershed, major cities, Indian tribes, lakes, rivers, mountains, settlements etc.

References: Rumsey #14255.154.

Condition: A

A crisp impression with contemporary outline color on a sheet with ample margins. There are a couple edge tears and minor foxing confined to the margins.