1850 Map of the Frontiers of the Northern Colonies...
Map of the Frontiers of the Northern Colonies: with the boundary lines established between them and the Indians at the treaty held by S. Will Johnson at Ft. Stanwix in Novr. 1768
By: Guy Johnson / John E. Gavit
Date: 1850 (published) Albany
Dimensions: 11.5 x 17 inches (29.25 x 43.25 cm)
This is a mid-19th century printing of an 18th century map illustrates the boundary line established between the British colonies and Native American lands at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in November 1768.
The map covers a broad expanse of the northeastern and mid-Atlantic British colonies, including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland. It prominently marks key rivers, such as the Ohio River, Susquehanna River, and Delaware River, which were crucial for trade and settlement. The Appalachian Mountains and other topographical elements are depicted, illustrating natural barriers that influenced the treaty’s boundary decisions.
The map prominently features several British forts that played a crucial role in securing the frontier and maintaining control over key waterways and trade routes. Fort Pitt, located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, was a major stronghold that guarded access to the Ohio River and served as a critical hub for westward expansion. Fort Stanwix, the site of the treaty negotiations, was strategically positioned along the Mohawk River in present-day New York, reinforcing British presence in the region. Further north, Fort Niagara controlled access to the eastern Great Lakes and served as a vital military and trading post along the Niagara River. In Pennsylvania, Fort Augusta ensured British dominance over the Susquehanna River, providing a defensive position in the heart of the colony.
Additionally, the map traces a network of smaller forts extending westward from Fort Pitt along the Ohio River, underscoring their importance in securing British interests and managing relations with Indigenous nations on the expanding colonial frontier. A detailed inset in the upper left corner extends the view westward along the Ohio River, providing a more complete picture of the frontier lands in present-day Ohio and beyond.
About the Treaty of Fort Stanwix
The treaty of Fort Stanwix, negotiated between Sir William Johnson, the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and the leaders of the Iroquois Confederacy was signed on November 5, 1768. It aimed to settle territorial disputes and prevent further conflict between settlers and Indigenous nations. The red line marked on the map delineates the agreed-upon boundary, running from New York through Pennsylvania, following the Ohio River to the Mississippi River.
The treaty was a pivotal moment in colonial and Indigenous relations, as it extended British control over lands that had previously been recognized as Native American territory. This agreement sought to limit colonial expansion beyond the Appalachian Mountains, reinforcing the Proclamation Line of 1763, which Britain had established to prevent settlers from encroaching on Indigenous lands. However, despite its intent to establish peace, the treaty ultimately facilitated further westward expansion, leading to increasing tensions and conflicts in the decades leading up to the American Revolution.
Condition: Map is in B+ condition, issued folded now mostly flat with one tine pinhole in the corner and a marginal fold separation that has been repaired on the verso. Some faint staining / toning does not distract from the image but adds to the historic authenticity of the map.
Inventory #12950
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