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Title

A map of the British Empire in North America; by Samuel Dunn.

Identifier(s)

APSdigobj3508; APSdigobj3508

Description

Former Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin, wrote 7 November 1828 requesting the loan of particular maps for use in settling the Northeast Boundary Dispute with Great Britain. Secretary John Vaughan acquired some for him from Samuel Hazard and the "City Library," as well as some from the Society's library. Gallatin wrote that "in every case where we have but one engraved copy of a Map, we are bound to deliver a manuscript copy to the British Minister here on 1st of January next." He stated that the map he wanted more than any other, is in truth the same map, but bearing on the face of it the date of 1776 to 1782 (or 1777 I believe) and not having the word "United States" on it or in it. The title is in substance as follows vizt:A new and correct map of North America with the West Indian Islands, divided according to the last treaty of peace concluded at Paris 10th February 1763, corrected from the original materials of Govr. Pownal M.P. Sayer & Bennet 1777. But it may vary a little in the said title & been any date from 1775 to 1782 [Archives].Vaughan shipped the maps 16 November, and Gallatin retained two which belonged to the Society [22 November 1828, Archives]. As "U.S. Agent for the N.E. boundary," he signed for these two on 26 December: "Sayer & Bennett's U.States-Feby 1783" and "Dunn's British Empire 1774." They were to be "laid before the Arbiter" and they would be "returned, replaced, or, in case of unavoidable accident, compensated for by the United States" [Archives, Receipt]. He returned the unused maps 2 January 1829 and sent his "thanks and those of the Government for your zealous and useful services on this important occasion" [Archives].These maps were not returned by 1843 so the members instructed Secretary George Ord on 15 December to recover them. Ord wrote immediately to Gallatin who replied 19 December, explaining what happened to them:Sayer & Bennet's United States, delivered to the British Minister at Washington, as part of the evidence to be laid before the Arbiter and which, in conformity with the Convention, the U. States were bound to communicate to the British Government on the 31st Dec[emb]er 1828. - cannot be recovered. Dunn's British Empire, laid before the Arbiter. All the maps laid before the King of Holland were bound together at Washington. That Atlas was, I understand, brought back from Holland by Mr. Treble and must be in the Department of State [Archives].On 18 May 1852, Acting Secretary of State William Hunter returned the Sayer and Bennett map. It had been found "this morning" and Hunter hastened "to restore it to your Society" [Archives].The Dunn map was returned 15 December 1852 by Secretary of State Edward Everett. He wrote member C. B. Trego that the map was returned by direction of the President "with the thanks of this Department for its use" [Archives]. For the Sayer and Bennett map, see: No. 550.

Creator

Dunn, Samuel

Source

APS.Printed.Maps;

Subject

Maps; North America

Date

1774 January 10