A MAP of the British and French Dominions in North America, WITH THE Roads, Distances, Limits, and Extent of the SETTLEMENTS...

Images(2)

A MAP of the British and French Dominions in North America, WITH THE Roads, Distances, Limits, and Extent of the SETTLEMENTS...

Date1755/1774

Cartographer John Mitchell (1711-1768)

Engraver Thomas Kitchin (1719 - 1784)

Publisher William Faden (1750-1836)

Publisher Thomas Jefferys (ca. 1710-1771)

OriginEngland, London

MediumBlack and white line engraving with period color

DimensionsFramed: OH: 54 1/2" x OW: 77 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Barry, III, Mr. and Mrs. Macon F. Brock, Mr. and Mrs. David R. Goode, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad M. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Johnson, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Moorman, IV, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Roberts.

Object number2017-215

DescriptionThe lower right cartouche reads: "A MAP of the/ British and French Dominions in/ North America,/ WITH THE/ Roads, Distances, Limits, and Extent of the/SETTLEMENTS,/ Humbly Inscribed to the Right Honourable/ The Earl of Halifax,/ And the other Right Honourable/ The Lords Commissioners for Trade & Plantations,/ By their Lordships/ Most Obliged/ and very humble servant/ Jn.o Mitchell."
Label TextBy 1750, the commissioners of the Board of Trade recognized the need for a comprehensive map that illustrated all of Britain’s American holdings and counteracted French claims. John Mitchell was given access to all of the maps, charts, journals, and reports belonging to the Board of Trade as well as the records of the British Admiralty. Attempting to prevail over French claims, Mitchell meticulously researched the original charters of each of the colonies and included his findings on the map. His work was immediately recognized for the political assertions it made on Britain’s behalf and helped to galvanize public sentiment in favor of defending British holdings during the French and Indian War. Following the Revolutionary War, treaty negotiators used this exact state of Mitchell’s map to establish the boundaries of the new United States.

This copy is published in William C. Wooldridge, Mapping Virginia: From the Age of Exploration to the Civil War (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012), Map 123.