1787 Bonne Map of the Mississippi Valley or 'Western United States'

A detailed c. 1787 Rigobert Bonne map of the western part of the 'United States of North America', essentially the land between the Mississippi River and the Appalachian Mountains. It is significant for its recognition of the United States, which is early for a map of this type, as well as for its detailed cataloging of Native American groups on the American frontier.

A Closer Look

Significant for its use of the 'United States of North America' in its title, this map focuses on the lands between the Mississippi River and the coastal areas of the new republic, where most of its non-indigenous population lived. Consequently, Bonne details the many Native American groups present in these lands, who were already being pressed by American settlers moving westwards. Rivers, lakes, mountains, settlements, forts, missions, and resources (saline, crystal de roche, etc.) are also noted. Seven different scales are arranged at left for reference.

Territorial Uncertainties

At the end of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), also known as the French and Indian War, King George III forbade colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains (and east of the Mississippi River), which was set aside as an Indian Reserve. However, during the Revolutionary War and the early history of the American Republic, the new states often claimed territory extending all the way to the Mississippi River, despite the minimal presence, if any, of American settlers there. Overlapping claims arose and the borders between states were unclear, leading to disputes. However, by 1787, the federal government had acquired control over many of these disputed lands in order to formally designate them as territories, with the largest being the Northwest Territory, the future states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

It is worth remembering that when this map was published Louisiana remained French, and its (ill defined) borders did not exactly correspond to the future Louisiana Territory, explaining the placement of 'Louisiane' here. That being said, the French forts shown here along the Mississippi River were abandoned either before or during the Seven Years' War and French settlers encouraged to move west of the river. St. Louis, which was just emerging at this time as a major trade center on the Mississippi River, is not noted, though nearby 'Cahokias' and a fort (Fort de Chartres) are.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Rigobert Bonne and engraved by André as Plate No. 118 for Bonne and Nicolas Desmarest's Atlas Encyclopedique, published between 1787 and 1788. It is independently cataloged by 17 institutions worldwide in the OCLC, while the entire Atlas Encyclopedique is more widely distributed.