Carte du Mexique et des Pays Limitrophes situés au Nord
et a l'Est Dressée d'apres la Grande Carte de la Nouvelle
Espagne de Mr. A. de Humboldt et d'autres Materiaux par J. B. Poirson
Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), Cartographer
Jean Baptiste Poirson (1761-1831), Engraver
F. Schoell, Publisher
Paris, 1811

Alexander von Humboldt, a German naturalist, traveled to Latin America on a scientific collecting expedition during the years 1799 to 1804. He spent one whole year exploring the geography, flora and fauna of Mexico. Observations he made during that time were the basis for Carte du Mexique and were combined with information gathered from libraries and archives throughout New Spain. He has been criticized for his depiction of Texas rivers that flow in the wrong direction and his lack of detail for the interior of Texas. But, his contributions to mapmaking have been significant and he became the foremost scientist of his day.

The eastern and northern boundaries of Texas were poorly defined when the United States purchased Louisiana in 1803. Because of this, disagreements arose and were not resolved until 1819. At that time, John Quincy Adams, of the United States, and Don Luis de Oñís, of Spain, reached an agreement with the Adams-Oñís TreatyAdams-Oñís Treaty (1819): Treaty that settled a border dispute between the United States and Spain, beginning at the Sabine River and extending westward through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast. In the treaty, they created a vertical boundary from the Sabine River to the Red River. This boundary allowed the United States to continue commerce along the river. It also allowed Texas to have access to the southern bank of the Red River. The treaty specified exact boundaries for the western border of Texas.

Le Champ-d'Asile ou carte des establissements fondes dans
l'Amerique Septentrionale par les Refugies Francais
d'abord au Texas, et actuellemt. au Tombechbe
Jean B. Tardieu (1746-1816), Engraver
Paris, 1819

This map shows the location of Champ d’Asile, a French colony, organized by General Charles Lallemand in 1818. The purpose of the settlement has never been fully known. But, its impact on Texas was tremendous. Its presence led to the Adams-Oñís TreatyAdams-Oñís Treaty (1819): Treaty that settled a border dispute between the United States and Spain, beginning at the Sabine River and extending westward through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast that established the Louisiana-Texas border. The original colony, numbering about 150, eventually grew to about 400. Near present Liberty on the Trinity River, colonists built fortifications and log houses. Lack of food and fear of Spanish invasion eventually forced them back to Galveston. There they endured a hurricane, which destroyed their food and other supplies. The colonists finally dispersed to New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana.

United States of America Compiled from the latest and best Authorities
John Melish (1771-1822), Cartographer
Benjamin Tanner (1775-1848), Engraver
M. Carey & Son, Publisher
Philadelphia, 1821

John Melish, a Philadelphia publisher of maps, quickly recognized the need for good geographical information by settlers making their way westward. In 1816 he produced a map that became so popular it was printed 22 times by 1822. Stephen F. Austin may have used this map when he crossed the Sabine River into Texas in 1821. Because of its accessibility, Melish’s map played an important role in the boundary designation between the United States and Spanish territory. An earlier version was consulted during negotiations for the Adams-Oñís TreatyAdams-Oñís Treaty (1819): Treaty that settled a border dispute between the United States and Spain, beginning at the Sabine River and extending westward through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast which determined the final boundary.