History of South America and Mexico; comprising their discovery, geography, politics, commerce and revolutions…A geographical and historical view of Texas, with a detailed account of the Texian Revolution and War.

NILES, John Milton (1787-1856) - PEASE, Lorain T.

Published by Hartford: H. Huntington, 1837.

About this Item

2 volumes in one. 8vo., (8 x 5 inches). 2 letterpress title pages; additional engraved vignette title page (occasional spotting throughout). 2 fine folding engraved maps of "Mexico and Texas" and "South America," with original hand color in full (marginal chip, not affecting the image, a few spots, some newer creases), engraved frontispiece "Battle of Jacinto," 2 engraved plates (a bit spotted). Contemporary American tree calf, the smooth spine lettered and decorated in gilt (extremities a bit worn). First edition, second printing with the additional material related to Texas by Gov. E. M. Pease's father from on-the-spot reports of the Texas Revolution. The first edition published in 1825, was a much smaller work, covering only the revolutions in Latin America, and with no Texas content. The important map of Texas is the first issue and shows all of present-day Texas in bold pink hand-coloring, extends to 38° North, and does not yet locate Houston, Lynchburg, Liberty, San Augustine, Rio Grande City, and Teran, which are present in later issues. "This volume was originally published in 1827 [sic] by Connecticut senator and author John Milton Niles. A new edition in 1837 added an account of the Revolution by Lorain Pease of Connecticut, whose son Elijah Pease supported Texas independence, fought in the Revolution, and later served as the state's governor" (Tyler, "Prints and Printmakers of Texas"). "This is an excellent contemporary account of the Texas Revolution and its beginnings [with] reprintings of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, Burleson's report on the taking of Bexar in December, 1835, the Travis letter of February 24, 1836, and several other reports and documents. One of these is a reprinting (pp. 329-335), which I do not recollect having seen elsewhere, of the report of Benjamin H. Holland, Captain of the 2d Company of Artillery, on the Fannin Massacre. The value of this contemporary account, compiled by the father of one of the participants, has been overlooked" (Streeter 1285). Hill, page 212; Howes N156.

Seller Inventory # 72MMS241

Bibliographic Details

• Title: History of South America and Mexico; comprising their discovery, geography, politics, commerce and revolutions…A geographical and historical view of Texas, with a detailed account of the Texian Revolution and War.
• Publisher: Hartford: H. Huntington, 1837.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Seller catalogs:
  • Texas
  • Western Americana