Map of Texas, Compiled from Surveys Recorded in the Land Office of Texas and Other Official Surveys

One of the most important maps of Texas made during its period as a Republic. The map is extremely rare and was only published by Arrowsmith between 1841 and 1845, being dropped from his atlas after Texas was annexed by the United States.



The detail reflects the extraordinary and convulsive transitional period in Texan history. The early land grants which had been established under Mexican rule are being transformed into counties. The more recent counties, such as Houston, Fannin, Milam were of course named after heroes of the War of Independence. Beneath a cartouche featuring the Lone Star of Texas and the seal of the General Land Office of Texas, it states that Texas is "Recognized as an Independent State by Great Britain, 16th Novr. 1840".

Towards the end of his first term of office as president, Sam Houston sent James Pinckney Henderson abroad to seek recognition of Texas by England and France. France, being at war with Mexico at the time, swiftly signed a treaty on September 25, 1839, recognizing Texan independence. England was at first reluctant because of the Republic's support of slavery, but not wishing to allow the French to increase their influence in the region and also needing a supply of cotton in the event of a war with the US, the British government also recognized the new Republic that following year (1840).


This map shows the earliest wagon roads including the western segment of the Santa Fe Trail and the Presidio Road into Mexico. Throughout Texas, and in the lands to the north, the territories of various Indian tribes are carefully noted. In the panhandle, a large area is marked off, with the dubious declaration that the entire area, which includes most of eastern New Mexico and the Texas panhandle, is "naturally fertile, well wooded and with a fair proportion of water". This is based on a supposed survey in 1833 by Alexander Le Grand in an effort to support a land development scheme and lure settlers to the area.



There is an inset plan of Galveston Bay, which was the usual entry point for immigrants as it was far easier to sail along the coast from New Orleans to the booming southeast corner of Texas than it was to arrive overland. The site of the climatic battle of San Jacinto is marked and also the location of a cotton gin opposite Morgan's Point.



Another feature is the detailed marking of the routes and incidents of General Leavenworth's 1834 expedition to pacify the Indian tribes north of the Red River. After a failed raid by Texas rangers the previous year, Leavenworth decided to lead out a force of 500 specially equipped Dragoons to awe the Indians into submission. The Dragoons' extraordinary dark blue uniforms were embellished with gilt epaulettes, numerous gilt buttons, yellow cuffs, a collar of gold-lace, and were done up with a dark orange silk sash. The dress cap alone was adorned with a gold eagle, a gilt cord, a gilt star in front and a white drooping horsehair pom-pom. Even the cavalry horses were colour co-ordinated; one company would ride white horses, another black. Nothing was omitted to "impress" the Indians with the military bearing of the expedition. Indeed in the report to the Secretary of War, it was stated that "It was hoped that the display of a respectable military force, for the first time in their country, would satisfy them [the Indians] that further resistance would lead to their destruction." Sadly for the soldiers, the uniforms and equipment, proved entirely unsuitable for the heat of the summer, and most of the horses and over 100 men perished, including General Leavenworth himself, who died after falling off his horse while chasing a baby buffalo. Despite this, the expedition succeeded in all its aims with the Indian tribes submitting without a shot being fired.



Original hand-colour. [USA9548]