A Topographical Description of the Western Territory of North America
Containing A Succinct Account of Its Soil, Climate, Natural History, Population, Agriculture, Manners, and Customs. With an ample Description of he several Divisions into which that Country is partitioned. To which is added The Discovery, Settlement, and State of Kentucky. And An Essay towards the Topography and Natural History of that important Country by John Filson. To which is added, I. The Adventures of Col. Daniel Boon, one of the First Settlers, comprehending every important Occurrence in the Political History of that Province. II. The Minutes of the Plankashaw Council, held at Post St. Vincent's, April 15, 1784. III. An Account of the Indian Nations inhabiting within the Limits of the Thirteen United States; their Manners and Customs; and Reflections on their Origin. Illustrated with correct Maps of the Western Territory of North America; of the State of Kentucky, as divided into Counties, from the latent Surveys; and a Plan of the Rapids of the Ohio London: Printed for J. Debrett, 1793.
The Second Edition, with Considerable Additions. Three-quarter leather. Octavo. [1], xvi, 433 pages, [1] page blank, [19] page index, [1] page errata, [2] pages advertisements, [1]. Recased binding with three-quarter brown leather and marbled paper covered boards. Gilt title and five raised bands on the spine. Newer front and rear end papers and one front blank end sheet inserted. The original rear end sheet is present. The folding frontispiece map is toned on the verso with an old repair made also on the verso. Some light edge wear to the map. The folding view of the Rapids of the Ohio and the State Map of Kentucky are in very good condition with light toning.
Pages 417-433 includes a "Report of the Secretary of State, to the President of the United States, of the Quantity and Situation of the Lands not Claimed by the Indians, Nor Granted to, Nor Claimed by Any Citizens, Within the Territory of the United States. Read in the House of Representatives, Nov. 10, 1791" by Thomas Jefferson.
Howes I 12; Howes Reference Filson - F 129; Sabin 34355; Streeter III 1523; Clark II 41, "An early account of the western country...which was produced by a man who left Kentucky without settling his obligations, who seems to have been involved in efforts to organize a French expedition to take the lower Mississippi Valley, and who treated Mary Wollstonecraft Shamelessly. This book was written in the form of letters from Kentucky to a friend in England. In all probability they were written in Europe." Good. Item #32480
Price: $2,750.00