This is the Senate issue of one of the most important 19th century explorations of the American West. Fremont and his colleagues covered some 10,000 miles between the frontiers of the Missouri River and the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The report made substantial contributions in the fields of surveying, topography, and natural history. Fremont's report was the most widely read account of the West before the gold rush, and its contents and maps had a profound effect on the development of emigration routes. The expedition party included such notable explorers as the German topographical surveyor Charles Preuss, the American guides L. Maxwell and Christopher Kit Carson and the celebrated botanist John Torrey. The lithograph plates in this report include illustrations of both the countryside and flora, as well as plates of fossils, ferns and shells.

Contemporary blind-stamped cloth with gilt title on the spine. 693 pages with 22 plates, 2 single-page maps, and 2 folding maps (lacking the large map). Printed by Gales & Seaton in Washington.

References: Howes #F-370; Sabin #25845; Wagner-Camp #115.1.

Condition: B

Contents are good to very good with variable light toning and scattered foxing. Ex-library with bookplate on front pastedown and stamps on many text pages and the versos of some of the plates. Ink inscription on title page. Binding is intact with light wear to covers and bumped corners.