Physical Survey of Virginia. Geographical Position of; Its Commercial Advantages, and National Importance. (Preliminary Report)

Matthew Fontaine Maury

Published by Matthew Fontaine Maury, 1868

Promoting Virginia As A Hub of Commerce After The Civil War, Including An Important Map of Virginia Matthew Fontaine Maury's important work promoting post-Civil War Virginia and its commercial attributes, published by th. 90 pages plus 1 page errata and three maps. Printed wraps. Minor toning and chipping. Mends and reinforcements to more significant wear on first two leaves, with slight loss to a single letter of title. Maps archivally backed to support fold splits and some minor restoration. Promoting Virginia As A Hub of Commerce After The Civil War, Including An Important Map of Virginia Matthew Fontaine Maury's important work promoting post-Civil War Virginia and its commercial attributes, published by the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). This scarce and important work includes Maury s updated version of the Bucholtz-Ludwig map of Virginia and two other maps illustrating Virginia. After the Civil War, Maury, who had been serving the Confederacy in Europe, remained abroad. Following Maury's pardon by the Federal Government in 1868, he returned to VMI to teach physics. Among his first duties was to conduct a physical survey of Virginia , the objects of which were to: develop the physical resources of the State, to make known its geography, and to point out the great commercial advantages which naturally arise from its situation with regard to the sea and the interior; to show the national importance of that situation and the benefits to arise from turning it to account; also to collect from the people all the information already possessed by them, as to the climate, soil, and productions of the State, its mineral resources, water power and manufacturing facilities, to the end that industry may be stimulated, enterprise encouraged, the material prosperity of the people advanced, and the general welfare of the country promoted. (Preliminary Report No. 1, p. 3) As part of the work, an entirely new map of Virginia based on a sophisticated trigonometric survey was to be prepared, replacing Ludwig Bucholtz 1858 Map of the State of Virginia. However, by the time Maury began work in the summer of 1868, the Transcontinental Railroad was nearly complete. As such, the urgency for competition required Maury to rush into print this Preliminary Report No. 1, whose goals included: pointing out [Virginia s] commercial advantages, its bearing upon the common defence and the national importance which it gives to the two grand lines of internal improvement which are designed to connect the Western States with our seaport towns. As such, Preliminary Report No. 1 surveyed the economic, geographic and geopolitical merits of Hampton Roads and the city of Norfolk as a primary port of entry for the East Coast, promoting the prospects of a second transcontinental rail line (the Southern Pacific) and of rail and water connections linking the two lines to the lower Chesapeake Bay. In support, three maps were included: STEAM LINE BETWEEN NORFOLK & FLUSHING Showing the back country geographically tributary to each, and the internal improvements connected therewith. 1868. (44.7 x 8.2 inches) VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE MAP OF VIRGINIA Compiled chiefly from C.L. Ludwig s Map and from other more recent data by M. F. Maury L.L.D. &c. Prof. Physics V.M.I. Dec. 1868. (35 x 18.5 inches) MAP OF THE United States BY J.H. Waddell, Asst. Prof. of Drawing; prepared under the instructions of M.F.MAURY, L.L.D. Prof. of Physics, V.M.I. Sept., 1868. (26.2 x 18 inches) Maury's Map of Virginia The map included in the pamphlet is the third edition of the so-called Bucholtz-Ludwig map of Virginia. The Buc. Seller Inventory # 81719

Bibliographic Details

Title: Physical Survey of Virginia. Geographical ...
Publisher: Matthew Fontaine Maury
Publication Date: 1868
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: VG
Book Type: Book