1841 A Map of Texas, compiled from Surveys recorded in the Land Office of Texas, and other Official Surveys.
By: Aaron Arrowsmith
Date: 1841 (published) London
Dimensions: 23.5 x 20 inches (59.7 x 50.8 cm)
The 1841 Arrowsmith map of Texas is one of the most sought after maps of Texas as it shows the republic at its largest size extending as far west to include Santa Fe and with a panhandle extending as far north as the southern portion of present-day Wyoming.
The map notes some of the earliest towns and a later phase of counties from land grants seen in the 1836 map. One noteworthy place name is the location of Fort Parker which was the site of the infamous raid, massacre, and kidnapping at the hands of Comanche, Kiowa, and Wichita bands that shocked the nation and Texas to its core. Many subsequent events would unfold as a result of this massacre, but none more notable than the assimilation of Cynthia Ann Parker into the Comanche tribe and the birth of Quanah Park (one of three children by Cynthia Ann Parker) who would become the last great leader of the last band of Comanches to surrender to the U.S. Military after years of eluding seasoned generals within the staked plains of west and north Texas.
This map was made in Great Britain at a time when the country was actively trying to establish a cotton trade with the newly independent Texas Republic. The importance of this map being produced in Britain was that it served as outside recognition of territorial claims made by Texas which were being disputed by Mexico, most notably the southern border that extended to the Rio Grande and as far west to include Santa Fe, which was the capital of New Mexico, still under control of the Mexican government as this map predates the Mexican-American War. Subsequent maps would adopt Arrowsmith's delineation of the Texas border, further strengthening the legitimacy of their land claim and the need for the United States to admit Texas into the Union and avoid future conflict with a new "foreign nation."
The map also includes several editorial notes on the geography of Texas that would persuade more settlers to make their way to Texas. Such notes include "good land," "valuable land," "rich land," "well timbered," and "beautiful prairie." Furthermore, a large note within the staked plain and heart of Comanche country describes the land as being "naturally fertile, well wooded and with a fair proportion of water." This could not be further from the truth as the region is quite arid and destitute of decent timber.
Condition: Map is in B+ condition with some restoration done to the margins that include extending and reinforcement where paper was chipping.
Inventory #12012
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