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Showing The Disputed Territories in the Trans-Appalachian West Prior to the French & Indian War

This rare separately published map is intended to delineate a Franco-centric presentation of the claims of the French, British and Spanish Crowns, at a time when increasing tensions in Europe would lead to a global conflict.   Within months, these tension would draw the French and English into a war both on the European Continent and in their colonies around the world, which would ultimately pitt Britain, Prussia, and Portugal against a coalition of France, Austria, Russia, Sweden, and Spain.  By the Seven Year War's conclusion, battles would be fought in North America (French & Indian War), India (Third Carnatic War), the Caribbean, West Africa, the Philippines and South America (the so-called Guerra Fantástica).

Published in Paris by Daumont in 1756, the map captures the illustrates the claims of France (and a French version of Great Britain's) during the pre-revolutionary period, just before the French and Indian War, at a time when the region west the Appalachian Mountains was hotly contested between the two European Powers.  Moreover, as explained at length in the Description of Canada at the bottom right, it gives a nearly 250 year history of France's claims via discovery to vast regions of Canada and the Mississippi watershed (French Louisiana).

The map provides a wealth of geographical information, with an emphasis on the regions of Canada and Louisiana, as well as the contested lands between French and British territories. It features a meticulous representation of various rivers, lakes, mountains, and settlements, offering valuable insights into the landscape and geography of North America during the 18th century. The map also includes a description of the history and development of Canada and Louisiana, highlighting the discoveries and settlements made by explorers such as Jean Verrazan, Jacques Quartier, and Chavelier de La Salle.

The details around the Great Lakes and the Ohio River are of particular note, the map draws on the earlier mapping of the region which appeared in Bellin's Partie Occidentale de la Nouvelle France, as first reported in 1744 and later revised and improved in 1755.  In addition to the re-shaping of the Great Lakes, the differences in the treatment of the course of the Ohio River and its tributaries is stark, 

The text at the lower right provides a detailed historical overview of France's explorations in North America, giving rise to its claims to the region by right of discovery.  The text translates as follows:

DESCRIPTION OF CANADA

New France comprises the two great regions of Canada and Louisiana.

Canada is the part of North America situated along both sides of the St. Lawrence River, the lakes that this river passes through, and the rivers that flow into both the river and the lakes. It includes the lands occupied by the Indians allied with the French, the principal ones being the Iroquois, the Abenakis, the Gaspesians, the Etchemins, the Eskimos, the Algonquins, the Attikameks, the Hurons, the Ottawa, the Saulteaux, the Cree, the Outagamies, and the Assiniboins. Its name is derived from "Capodinada," meaning "Land of little consequence," a name given by the Spanish, struck by the height of the barren mountains they observed near the St. Lawrence River. Giovanni di Verrazzano discovered the coasts of this land by order of King Francis I in 1524, although he was preceded by Thomas Aubert under Louis XII. Verrazzano explored all the coasts from the river’s mouth to Carolina.

Jacques Cartier in 1534 more specifically explored the river’s mouth; he returned the following year and pushed as far as Montreal. He returned again in 1541 with M. de Roberval and established trade with the natives of the land, the Gaspesians, Abenakis, and Iroquois. M. de Champlain completed the establishment of the colony in 1603, ventured further inland, and gave his name to Lake Champlain.

Louisiana is located along the Mississippi River, from the northernmost parts we know of this great river to its mouth, and in its southern part from along the Missouri, the Red River in the west to the Appalachian Mountains and their continuation, which separates it from the English colonies in the east, except for a portion of the eastern coasts from Rio Perdido which belongs to the Spanish. The knowledge we have of the Mississippi was communicated to us by the Indigenous peoples. M. Cavelier de La Salle obtained letters patent in 1678 to explore it, which he did and claimed possession near its mouth in the name of the King in 1683. Returning by sea, he missed the river’s mouth and landed at Saint Bernard Bay, claiming it in the King’s name. He was killed while trying to find the river by land. The court sent M. d'Iberville in 1690, who, after recognizing the possession marker left by M. de La Salle, began the establishment of this colony, which has since become very significant due to the free communication it has always maintained with Canada via the Illinois, the Wabash and Ohio rivers, and the Great Lakes.