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Description

Important Revolutionary War era map by Claude Joseph Sauthier, published in London by William Faden.

The expanse of the Hudson River is portrayed in three vertical panels. The left-hand panel depicting New York City and Harbor shows considerable detail before following the river north to Rhinebeck. The center panel includes the intersection with the Mohawk River, and Lake George and extends north to Ticonderoga, while the right-hand panel depicts Lake Champlain.

The map depicts in the Hudson River-Lake George-Lake Champlain corridor, then viewed by the British, as a key invasion route between Canada and the Middle British Colonies of North America.

The primary water courses are treated in great detail, including depth soundings as far north as Albany, with navigational hazards on Lake Champlain identified. The major roads and military forts are identified in meticulous detail. Several notes provide information on portages.

The map also identified important military details, including noting the naval battle on Lake Champlain in October 1776 (which involved Benedict Arnold) and also the earlier skirmish between the French and British during the French & Indian War, which resulted in the French scuttling of their "fleet" in 1759.

In the early parts of the American Revolution, the British viewed control of the Hudson as a crucial artery for controlling the American Rebels. In the Fall of 1776 a large British invading force under Guy Carleton moved down from Canada toward the Hudson River, via Lake Champlain. While the British ultimately prevailed in this first naval battle of the American Revolution, the American fleet under Benedict Arnold, forced Carleton to turn back following the Battle of Valcour's Island.

Sauthier's map includes a number of annotations locating key engagements in this campaign.

Claude Joseph Sauthier was a native of France, who came to the Colonies in 1767 and was employed by Governor Tryon of North Carolina. In 1771, Tryon took the same post in New York and Sauthier accompanied him. Sauthier soon went to work on a survey of the eastern part of the province, which at the time included all of present-day Vermont. In 1771 Sauthier was also involved in running the boundary line between New York and Quebec at the 45th parallel.

Condition Description
Old color. Short tear, repaired on verso.