This is a later edition of one of the first English maps to display the boundaries of the newly recognized United States. The short-lived state of Franklinia is located in eastern Tennessee, noted as the New State of Franklin. Franklin was formed in the western part of North Carolina in 1784, by a group of "westerners" who felt cut-off from state government by the Appalachian Mountains. John Sevier was appointed as governor and they maintained a legislature for several years. Due to some fascinating political intrigue, Franklinia or Franklin was never recognized by Congress and eventually the region was re-annexed by North Carolina and finally became a part of Tennessee. This is one of the only maps we have seen with both Franklinia and the Tannesee Government designated. The old Spanish settlement of New Iberia is located west of the Mississippi. Several Bounty Land Grants are depicted in the Western Territory and Indiana is shown in the northwest corner of Virginia. The boundary of North Carolina extends as far as the South Sea by the Charter of Charles II, with a further notation maintaining North Carolina's right to the navigation of the Mississippi River. The map is color-coded to show the possessions of Britain, United States, Spain, France, and Native Americans, with a further note stating that all lands not settled by Europeans "should belong to the Aborigines." This is the sixth state of the map and third state showing the state of Franklin. A finely engraved pictorial cartouche shows traders shipping goods.

References: McCorkle #796.7; Tooley (America) p.100, #80f; Baynton-Williams (TMC) 72, #7, p. 16; Dotson & Baker (OWA) #8.3.

Condition: B+

Pressed flat and previously framed with some even light toning in the image. There are a couple of short archivally repaired tears adjacent to the lower centerfold.