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This map provides an illuminating glimpse into the formative years of the United States, capturing the young nation and its territories east of the Mississippi River. One striking feature is the depiction of Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants, where vast tracts of land were allotted compensation to Revolutionary War soldiers, often in lieu of payment. Ohio, as seen here, is primarily confined to the 'Ohio Company' and 'Donation Lands' regions, notably missing several other bounty grants that appear on Russell's subsequent map. Clark's Grant also appears, although without boundaries.
West of Ohio, intriguing labels emerge: 'Illinois Company,' 'Wabash Company,' 'Army Lands,' and 'New Jersey Company.' Shifting north, the region above the upper Mississippi River seems sparsely populated and predominantly uncharted, save for some forts, rivers, and settlements, including Detroit and the Lake of the Woods. The map also draws attention to 'Army Lands' nestled within both Kentucky (not yet named) and the 'Tennessee Government.'
Speaking of the 'Tennessee Government,' it stands as a crucial milestone in the history of Tennessee. Before achieving statehood, the region had broken away from western North Carolina, charting its path as the Southwest Territory, colloquially referred to as the Tennessee Government. Its subsequent transition into statehood signaled a significant expansion of the nascent United States.
Georgia's portrayal on the map is also of note, shown with its borders still extending to the Mississippi River. Meanwhile, Florida, divided into East and West regions, showcases the global politics of the time. Following the American Revolutionary War, England ceded Florida to Spain, a nod to Spanish neutrality during the conflict.
Beyond the original 13 states, the states of Vermont and Kentucky are noted in the reference key. Vermont was admitted to the Union as the fourteenth state in 1791, while Kentucky followed suit in 1792 as the fifteenth state.
![Colton's Map of the United States The Canadas &c. Showing the Railroads, Canals, & Stage Roads With Distances From Place to Place…1856 [Pocket Map]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/85342.jpg)
