Highly important and early English map, focusing on the East Coast of the United States, Canada and Nova Scotia. It also marks Cape Cod, the earliest known reference on a map. There is also a reference to "Sandy Ile", modern-day Sable Island, and what is believed to be Prince Edward Island is also shown, though not yet named. Along the coast of New England, the names of the 20 men who received land grants from the Council for New England are listed.



It is known that William Alexander, Earl of Stirling persuaded James I that the only way to get Scottish citizens to emigrate, was to provide them with a New Scotland, comparable to New England and New France. Initially granted a small portion of Newfoundland - which he named Alexandria - he then went on to hold a grant for a portion of land he named New Scotland, or Nova Scotia. Unfortunately Alexander was unable to plant a single colonist on the territory, and after an unsuccessful voyage with a few potential settlers, he allowed them to disembark and settle in Newfoundland instead.



This map reflects Alexander's Scottish interests, and was published in Samuel Purchas's Pilgrimes in 1625.



Framed. [Burden 208] [CAN2909]