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Description

First edition of Bradford's map of the Republic of Texas, the first printed map of the Republic.

The text leafs which accompanies this issue of the map is noteworthy. Here the writer commences: "Texas. It is a northeastern province of the republic of Mexico, and is at present engaged in an arduous struggle for independence." This introduction is followed by a discussion of Texas resources, geography, living conditions, Anglo colonization, dissension with Mexico, and events leading to the Texas Revolution. The essay ends with provocative quotations from printed volleys between the Mexican government and the Anglo colonists in Texas. Reprinted is the text of General Cos' proclamation issued at Matamoros on July 5, 1835, warning the Texas colonists that war would be the result of "their badly conceived zeal" (Streeter 827). This is followed by a bellicose response from "the public press in Brazoria" (Franklin C. Gray's

Texas Republican

, see Streeter 1983 revised edition, pp. 19-20 & 191), declaring:

Resolved, That no person or persons whatsoever, under the control or in the name of Santa Anna, shall be suffered to enter Texas, whatever be his credentials, or upon whatever principle he may assume the privilege.

Resolved, That if any citizen or citizens whatever, shall leave the country on, or before the contest, or shall assist the enemy in any shape whatsoever, during the conflict, their property shall be confiscated for and in behalf of the war.

Resolved, That the property of those inhabitants who may pretend to neutrality, or otherwise, so as not to assist their brother Americans in this war, shall be the first to be sacrificed to its welfare and prosecution.

The author of the text leaf concludes: "It is needless to enter into the details of what followed, as they are fresh in the minds of all."

Thomas Gamaliel Bradford Biography

Thomas Gamaliel Bradford (1802-1887) was an American geographic publisher. He hailed from Bradford, Massachusetts and began his publishing career by working for the America Encyclopedia. Then, he edited and republished the Atlas Designed to Illustrate the Abridgement of Universal Geography, Modern & Ancient, which had originally been offered in French by Adrian Balbi. In 1835, he published another atlas, A Comprehensive Atlas: Geographical, Historical & Commercial, and, in 1838, An Illustrated Atlas Geographical, Statistical and Historical of the United States and Adjacent Countries. His interests were primarily in educational publishing and he was one of the first mapmakers to show Texas as an independent country.