Lay's Map of the United States Compiled from the Latest and best Authorities and Actual Surveys.

1832 Amos Lay Wall Map of the United States

Publication Date: 1832

About this Item

Average. Full professional restoration. Stabilized on fresh linen. Accompanies original rollers, but detached. Can be reattached on request. Some infill. Moderate overall toning. Cracking. Size 60 x 50 Inches. This 1832 Amos Lay map of the United States is one of the earliest and largest American wall maps. It features significant content regarding early grants in Texas and Florida, as well as a contemporaneous depiction of America's Canal Age. A Closer Look The map presents the United States during a period of rapid expansion following the Louisiana Purchase (1803) but predating the Texan Revolution (1835 - 1836) and the territorial gains that followed the Mexican-American War (1845 - 1848). It is one of the earliest maps to illustrate Texas Land Grants, including Stephen F. Austin's Grant (1827), Austin's Colony, and the Empresario grants of Zavala, Vehlein, and Burnet - see below. Likewise, in Florida, multiple land grants are noted, making it one of the more comprehensive catalogs of early grants there we are aware of: the Alachua Grant (Arredondo), General Lafayette's Grant near Tallahassee, Arredondo's first grant near Tampa, the Delespino Grant, Miranda's Grant, and Flemming's Grant - see below. This map, moreover, depicts the United States during the great age of canals, when man-made inland waterways were the key to a nationwide logistic infrastructure. Scope and Coverage The map embraces the present-day United States to well beyond the Mississippi River, including eastern pre-revolutionary Texas, the Missouri Territory to roughly Fort Mandan, and Arkansas. The entirety of the Great Lakes and southeastern Canada are included. The map reflects a long period when no new states had been added for several years but when the existing mid-western states and territories were developing. The Northwest Territory includes Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, and the portion of Minnesota east of the Mississippi River; and present-day Lower Michigan is Michigan Territory. An expansive Missouri Territory flows off the page to the left. Florida is shown only partially in the main map but in its entirety in an inset at the lower right. Texas Empresario Land Grants In the early 19th century, Spain instituted a series of reforms intended to settle and develop Texas, the most significant of which occurred in 1820 when it began to allow colonists of any religion (previously they had to be Catholic) to settle. The only colonist to receive land under the Spanish system was Moses Austin (1761-1821), who claimed his grant in 1820, only to die a year later in 1821. In the same year, 1821, the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821) concluded with Mexico's independence from Spain. The new Mexican government continued the reforms, instituting the Texas Empresario system. Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836) took over his father Moses's grant and began an aggressive campaign to draw English-speaking Protestant settlers to Texas. Austin's efforts were aided by the Mexican Provisional Government, who approved the 1824 General Colonization Law authorizing all heads of household who were citizens or immigrants to Mexico to claim land. After the law passed, the government was inundated with requests by foreign speculators to establish colonies - many of whom received grants of their own. In the wake of the Panic of 1819, the United States experienced an extended period of inflation characterized by soaring land prices. Texas, with vast tracks of arable land, warm climate, and free grant system, became an extremely attractive prospect. Austin's drive to populate Texas with English-speaking settlers was thus enormously successful. Conflicts between the English protestant 'Empresarios' and the Catholic Mexican government ultimately led to the secession of Texas and the Mexican-American War. Florida Land Grants Beginning in the 1790s, the Spanish crown offered land grants to people courageous enough to emigrate to Florida or for meritorious service to the cr.

Seller Inventory # UnitedStates-amoslay-1832

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Lay's Map of the United States Compiled from the Latest and best Authorities and Actual Surveys.
• Publication Date: 1832
• Seller catalogs:
  • UNITED-STATES-MAPS