Typical of British maps of the mid-nineteenth century, Johnston’s “United States and Texas” contains a wealth of accurate and clearly presented information. The map features a superb rendering of the Republic of Texas, the details of which Johnston derived from Arrowsmith’s famous separate 1841 map of the republic. Texas is shown with its borders prior to the Compromise of 1850, colored in red. The northern boundary extends to the Arkansas River at the 38^th parallel and the western one into New Mexico just past Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos. A note in the bottom left corner announces the dates of foreign recognition of independent Texas: “The Independence of Texas was formally declared in March 1836. It was recognized by Great Britain in Novr. 1840; and has been acknowledged by the United States, France, Holland, and Belgium.” Johnston’s map likely dates to 1844, the year in which Secretary of State John C. Calhoun sponsored a treaty for the annexation of Texas. The treaty failed, but annexation finally occurred in March 1845.

The map also shows the states east of the Mississippi River, as well as Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and a large, elongated Iowa Territory reaching from Missouri to the Canadian border. Details include cities, towns, rivers, railroads, proposed railroads, canals, and lighthouses. The inset map shows the topography of Niagara and presents informational text on the region.

English mapmakers were particularly well regarded during this period, when editions of large-scale maps such as the one offered here traced the expanding knowledge of the American interior. The present is a fine example from the Johnston company, notable for the presentation of much valuable information in a handsome and accessible format. An excellent map for the independent Republic of Texas.