Enlarged To Include An Account of Marquette's Discoveries in North America
First English edition of Louis Hennepin's accounts of his American explorations, here in the "Tonson" issue, with that printer's name at end of first line of imprint. No definitive priority has been established between the two issues of the first English edition (see note below). This edition includes translations of two of Hennepin's works, Nouvelle decouverte... and Nouveau voyage... Despite charges of plagiarism, his works remain standing as "invaluable contributions to the sources of American history; they deserve study and to this day furnish rare entertainment" - Reuben Gold Thwaites.
An important early narrative, including the first eye-witness account of Niagara Falls, which is illustrated with a folding plate. The maps are of great importance for the cartography of the Midwest.
Thomas Jefferson was influenced by Hennepin - his library included an example of the original French edition of this work (see Sowerby 4066). Hennepin likely informed his planning of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Louis Hennepin, a prominent 17th-century explorer of North American territories, embarked on his journey as part of René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle's expedition in 1675. Stationed initially in Quebec as a missionary, he dedicated his time to understanding the local Native American tribes, learning their languages and customs in preparation for his missionary work across the continent. His writings provide detailed insights into the Indigenous cultures and practices he encountered.
In 1680, Hennepin was tasked by La Salle to explore the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. During this expedition, he was captured by the Issati Sioux but later released through the intervention of French explorer Daniel Greysolon Du Lhut.
Hennepin's initial publication, 'Description de la Louisiane' (1683), achieved immediate acclaim. Subsequently, while in Amsterdam, Hennepin published 'Nouvelle Decouverte' (1697) and 'Nouveau Voyage' (1698), which were promptly translated into multiple languages, including English.
This English edition combines Hennepin's later works, adding 'An Account of Several New Discoveries in North-America,' a narrative of Marquette's voyages absent in earlier editions. It features two significant maps and several interesting plates, including a folding view of the first image of Niagara Falls.
Other plates show an especially hirsute American bison, "the unfortunate adventures of La Salle," the murder of La Salle, the taking of Quebec by the English, and a scene of violence captioned "the cruelty of the savage Iroquois."
Hennepin's maps, recognized for their accuracy, endorsed the then-prevailing pyramidal height-of-land theory, profoundly influencing 18th-century geographical conceptions of North America and the strategic planning of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Jefferson's consultation of these maps for his 'An Account of Louisiana' underscores their historical importance. Despite criticisms of blending fact with fiction in his accounts, Hennepin's "documentation remains a pivotal contribution to the early exploration narratives of North America, highlighting his discoveries in the Mississippi Valley and its tributaries."
Much criticism has been heaped on Hennepin by critics and historians, beginning perhaps with Charlevoix, who attacked "not so much with reference to the truth of his statements as to his manners." A positive assessment by Sabin is perhaps worth repeating here: "That he should have made some mistakes is not to be wondered at... Hennepin.... had seen much, and dared much: for among his failings fear had no part; and where his vanity or his spite was not involved, he often told the truth."
The "Tonson" vs. "Bon" Issues
Without evidence, Church believed the so-called Bon issue preceded the Tonson issue, stating only that some of the plates were improved in the latter issue. Howes says this of the two issues of the first English edition: "priority not definately [sic] adjudicated, of equal value & desirability." Greenly concurs with Howes: "there is no conclusive evidence as to which was first. One has the imprint: London, Printed for M. Bentley, J. Tonson, | H. Bonwick. T. Goodwin, and S. Manship. 1698 | It is known as the Tonson edition. The other has the imprint: London: Printed for M. Bentley, J. Tonson, H. Bon- | wick, T. Goodwin, and S. Manship. 1698. | It is known as the 'Bon' edition."