Mitchell's Reference and Distance Map of the United States, 1845

Details:
hand colored lithograph, wall map, laid down on linen, attached to originalwood rods, linen edges
dimensions: 72 1/4 x 58 3/4 inches
condition: professionally conserved, good condition, varnish removed, backed on new linen, new silk edges, original green coloring restored by hand, please see below

The map consists of the primary map of the United States, a large inset map of the United states and the contiguous possessions of Britain and Mexico, and eight small inset maps of major American cities and their vicinity. Two inset maps show, respectively the northern portion of Maine and the southern portion of Florida to complete the boundaries of each state on the map. There are "Remarks" about the surveys used to make this map, a "Text" describing emigrants' routes to Oregon Territory and a prominent vignette of the American Eagle just below the map title. An elaborate scroll, scallop and acanthus leaf border frames the entire scene.

States are outlined in red. Counties are shown in contrasting colors. The "National Road" is labeled, existing and proposed rail roads, canals are indicated and named. Native American tribal lands, Indian villages within American and the contiguous British and Mexican possessions are labeled by tribal name. "Indian Territory" is the name for land that abuts America's western boundary. The first edition of Mitchell's map was published in 1836 and thereafter with revisions. The map on offer is a new series, copyright in 1845. Two subsequent editions in this series were published (1846, 1849).

Description:

Mitchell's 1845 map of the United States is a reference and distance compilation based on surveys of the entire United States at a scale of 25 miles to one inch on Flamstead's Improved Projection. Mitchell describes the map's scope under "Remarks": "On this Map will be found every County, Township, Parish, Hundred etc. in the United States...arranged in conformity with the Census of 1830...together with all the additional Counties, Townships etc. organized since that period as far as they could be obtained." The "Remarks" explain that the map is accompanied by a separate book. In fact, the map itself is a one-page, six by five foot book.

Mitchell explains in the Remarks that for mapping new states and Territories, he has relied on surveys made "by order of the General Government", perhaps denoting Congress, "that now extends over the states and territories." Mitchell cites additional surveys prepared by states and private maps. To those private map makers Mitchell expresses his indebtedness: M. Greenleaf of Maine, N.Hale of Boston, D.H.Burr of New York, John MacRae of North Carolina, J. Bethune Surveyor General of Georgia, J.McCoy of Alabama and others. Regarding Indiana, Mitchell makes special note also of A.Clark of Connersville, Indiana for representations of Indiana townships which had not "...hitherto appeared on any published Map of that State." Thus the face of the map bears a key to prominent American map makers of the first half of the 19th c.

The most prominent graphic feature of the map as viewed from a distance is the large decorative cartouche of an American Eagle, skimming the waves on a scalloped half-shell, clutching in the talons of his right foot five sharp tipped arrows and in the other the fruited olive branch, his gaze directed to the West. An American flag on a pointed staff lies behind the Eagle in his craft. W. Mason is identified as the designer. 1/ A shield with 23 stars and stripes below hangs from the eagle's strong neck.2/ In the scene's background, a domed Capitol building sits on a rise, below which several men guide their barge through the locks of a canal to join the choppy waters bearing the American Eagle. In the distance to the left is a coastal city, its busy shore lined with sailboats, a steamboat and a three masted schooner.

What does this vignette's imagery mean? The artist W. Mason likely versed in art history, may have borrowed Botticelli's 15th c. imagery of the birth of Venus riding the waves on a scalloped half shell as an ideal image for the birth of mid-19th c. America. Mitchell's mammoth map of the United States presents the shores of the East Coast, and with the Oregon Territory shared with Britain the prospect of its Western Coast as well. The American Eagle, readied for war and peace has his gaze fixed firmly on the West, suggesting that the United States of 1845 would ultimately extend its western border to the Pacific Ocean by force or diplomacy. The 1846 Oregon Treaty with Britain giving America exclusive dominion over the Oregon Territory was yet to be signed. But the political objective of the United States government to claim exclusive dominion over the Oregon Territory and its Pacific coast line was in progress using both military and diplomatic means.

A large inset map titled "General Map of the United States with the Contiguous British and Mexican Possessions" makes no mention of Indian Territory, notwithstanding that what abuts America at its western border is labeled "Indian Territory" as are large swaths of land that Mitchell's map identifies as tribal territory within American states and Territories, and in the Mexican and British Possessions. This striking omission of Native American possessions in the "General Map" title can be taken at face value as Mitchell's own view of the political reality of North America: Native Americans in America had no political standing and as a result no recognized sovereignty over any land as its "Possession" notwithstanding that such Native American land was contiguous to the United States .

The wide, decorative map border is composed of scrolls, scallops and acanthus leaf arrangements. Originally it was painted a pale green. During conservation to remove the varnish, the original green color was lost and a discovery made: Mitchell had originally varnished the map, applied his distinctive green to the border and counties delineated on the map, and then applied a second coat of varnish. When the top varnish layer was removed so was the green color. Hence, the restored map is hand colored to replace this lost color.

Notes:

1. W. Mason may be William Mason, of Philadelphia described in the New York Historical Society's Dictionary of Artist's in America (1564-1860), Groce and Wallace, 1979 ed., as a Philadelphia artist and drawing teacher, also originally an engraver, who drew landscapes and still lifes, exhibiting and teaching in Philadelphia active between 1808 and 1844.

2. The first edition of Mitchell's map published in 1836 included this vignette, perhaps determining the number of stars. Subsequent editions retained the eagle vignette and revised the specific city inset maps and territory changes.