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"8vo., (8 7/8 x 5 4/8 inches).Large folding lithographed map "Military Reconnaissance of the Arkansas Rio Del Norte River and Rio Gila" in pocket at end (unevenly browned and with closed repaired tears, folds strengthened on verso), 40 lithographed plates, including 26 views, Native Americans, and natural history by Edward Weber, many after drawings by John Mix Stanley, 12 botanical images by Endicott, and two others, 4 full-page maps. Original brown cloth, printed paper label on the spine (rebacked preserving the original spine); modern green cloth slipcase and chemise Provenance: with the fine PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION OF JEFFERSON DAVIS (1808-1889), president of the Confederate States of America and U.S. senator: "Cha.s. Abert, Esq from his friend Jefferson Davis Aug 16 - 1848" on the front paste-down; the pencilled ownership inscription of R. Kearney at the head of the title-page; with the bookplate of Jay Snyder, his sale Christie's New York, 21st June, 2005. First edition, Senate issue, later printing with Emory's rank given as Lt. Col., rather than Brevet Major, but with plates in the preferred state by Weber. The four full-page maps are "Sketch of the Actions Fought at San Pasqual in Upper California between the Americans and Mexicans Dec. 6th. & 7th. 1846", "Sketch of the Passage of the Rio San Gabriel Upper California by the Americans,-Discomfiting the Opposing Mexican Forces January 8th. 1847", and "Sketch of the Battle of Los Angeles Upper California. Fought between the Americans and Mexicans Jany. 9th. 1847". A FINE ASSOCIATION COPY, inscribed by Jefferson Davis to the son of one of America's most celebrated topographical engineers John James Abert, a close associate of John James Audubon, and who played an important part in Westward expansion. "Abert used the Mexican War (1846-1848) to highlight the importance of his engineers; in the corps's annual report of 1848, he stated that they were "the eyes of the commanding general . . . With these he can see the country, and can know how to direct and combine all his movements or marches, whether offensive or defensive, and without them he is literally groping in the dark." Their explorations facilitated the construction of civil and military posts and roads in the West that were "the pioneers of civilization and wealth" (Mary M. Thomas for ADNB). As head of the Bureau of Topographical Engineers, it was Abert who submitted Emory's report to Congress (see his letter of introduction pages 3 and 4). In August of 1847 Davis accepted an appointment to the U.S. Senate, he "was soon involved in the first of a half-dozen near duels that marked his political career, this one with Mississippi's other senator, Henry S. Foote. On the Senate floor Davis was outspoken and strongly expansionist. He favored annexing large amounts of Mexican territory and declared that the Gulf of Mexico belonged to the United States. He also began to speak in defense of slavery and southern interests in the territories. His harsh criticism of abolitionists and his insistent, energetic defense of what he viewed as southern rights soon made him a rising spokesman for his native region" (Paul D. Escott for DNB). Emory was an accomplished topographical engineer and scientist, and this is a landmark study of the lands which had just been taken from the Mexican government. A southwest book of primary importance. "His report was a major contribution to the geographical knowledge of North America…the report includes sections on the plants and animals, as well as on the geology and the prehistoric town sites and other archeological remains. Emory's descriptions of the various Indian tribes that he encountered were steps toward the newly-forming discipline -Anthropology- concerned with primitive man." - Wagner-Camp 148:2; Cowan, p. 195; Graff 1249; Howes E145; Wheat Transmississippi 544; Zamorano Eighty 33. Catalogued by Kate Hunter".
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