A fascinating map of New England during the French and Indian War, showing the British campaigns in New York and Massachusetts under General William Shirley & Sir William Johnson up to September 1755. The English victory at the Battle of Lake George on the 8th of September is marked on the map under the title, "Dieskaw's Defeat", a reference to Baron Dieskau, the leader of French troops in Canada during the early stages of the war.

This map was published in the General Magazine of Arts and Sciences, an early London newspaper to accompany a letter by Sir William Johnson about his victory at Lake George. It neatly demonstrates how quickly important news could travel from North America to London in the mid-18th century. The map claims to show, according to its title cartouche, "many places omitted in other maps, communicated by a gentleman who resided in these parts".

Three inset maps focus on the critical French Forts Duquesne and St. Frederic, as well as the English Fort Oswego, established by General Shirley at the modern-day site of Oswego, NY, as a staging ground for an attack against the French Fort Niagara. The map of Fort Duquesne (modern-day Pittsburgh) included on this map is allegedly based on the accounts of French deserters, though others have suggested that it is actually based on the account of Robert Stobo, a Virginia militiaman who was imprisoned at Fort Duquesne but managed to smuggle out a drawing. Either way, William Owen clearly had access to some unique sources and wasted no time compiling this map for his General Magazine.

[USA9531]