Etats-Unis De L'Amerique Septentrionale

This scarce early map of the newly-independent USA is one of the first to use the name 'United States' and is also the first map to use the word 'Michigan' to refer to an area of land. The Louisiana Territory is labeled as 'large, unknown country' with occasional notes describing the discoveries of early explorers, such as De Soto and La Salle.

The map also contains an index in the lower-right corner which is possibly its most unique feature. The 13 original states are named in the index alongside Thomas Jefferson's proposed names for 10 new states to be created between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. Drawing on his classical education, Jefferson suggested that these new states should be called Silvania, Michigania, Chersonesus, Asenistpia, Metropotamia, Illinoia, Saratoga, Washington, Polypotamia, and Pelisypia.

Original hand-colour. [USA7673]