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1842 Greenleaf Map of Mexico and Republic pre-Compromise Texas
Mexico-greenleaf-1842$200.00
Title
The United States of Mexico. / Guatemala or the United Provinces of Central America.
1842 (undated) 14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm) 1 : 12700000
1842 (undated) 14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm) 1 : 12700000
Description
This is Jeremiah Greenleaf's 1842 map of Mexico and Central America. The map reflects the original boundaries of the Republic of Texas, the short-lived United Provinces of Central America (Guatemala), and the Yucatán Federalist Movement.
A Closer Look
Essentially two maps on one sheet, the map roughly follows the engraving and scope of the 1832/33 David H. Burr map. Here, the color model takes into account the events of the Texan Revolution (October 2, 1835 - April 21, 1836). The boundaries of the Republic of Texas are here identical to those appearing on Burr's map of 1835 (per Rumsey) and reflect a western boundary at the Nueces River and a northern boundary at the Arkansas and Red Rivers.The United Provinces of Central America
The inset is here subtitled 'Guatemala or the United Provinces of Central America'. Another layover from the 1832 Burr, this map recognizes the Guatemalan-led federation that existed from 1823-1841. The name was officially changed to the Federal Republic of Central America in 1824. By 1841, cultural and political differences led to infighting and the dissolution of the Union. As with Texas, the color coding here has been updated to reflect the new political reality, but the engraving, with all of Central America being named 'Guatemala,' remains.Independent Yucatán
This map appears to represent the ephemeral independent Yucatán. The Yucatán Federalist Movement (1840 - 1843) arose from the region's resistance to Mexico's shift to centralism under the Seven Laws in 1835, which abolished federalism and imposed centralized control. This change threatened the ultra-wealthy Yucatán's economic interests, particularly its reliance on the henequen (sisal) trade with the United States, Cuba, and Europe, and sparked demands for autonomy. In 1840, Yucatán, led by federalist leaders Santiago Méndez and Miguel Barbachano, declared independence, reinstating its 1825 constitution and proclaiming itself a sovereign republic. During this period, Yucatán thrived economically through the export of henequen while maintaining its own military and negotiating independent trade agreements. However, the movement faced challenges, including military confrontations with Mexico, led by Santa Anna, and internal divisions over whether to pursue full independence or negotiate autonomy within Mexico. In 1843, increasing pressure from the Mexican government and fears of foreign intervention led Yucatán to rejoin Mexico under a treaty granting limited self-governance. These concessions were short-lived, setting the stage for further unrest and Yucatán's declaration of the Second Republic in 1846. The federalist movement of 1840-1843 reflects Yucatán's ongoing struggle to balance its autonomy, economic priorities, and relationship with Mexico.Publication History and Census
This map is a much-updated revision of the David Hugh Burr map of 1833. The Burr map plates fell into the hands of Jeremiah Greenleaf in 1840, who revised them for publication in his own Universal Atlas. The present example is from the 1842 second Greenleaf edition of the atlas.CartographerS
Jeremiah Greenleaf (1791 - 1864) is a little known but highly admired American cartographer of the early 19th century. He published from roughly 1830 to 1850. His most important work is A New Universal Atlas; Comprising of all the Principal Empires, Kingdoms, and States Throughout the World and Forming a distinct Atlas of the United States, published in several editions in the 1840s. Many of his maps are reformatted versions of his contemporary David Burr's much admired cartographic works. Greenleaf's maps are extremely rare and admired for their stunningly vivid pastel color washes. More by this mapmaker...
David Hugh Burr (August 18, 1803 - December 25, 1875) of one of the first and most important truly American cartographers and map publishers. Burr was born in Bridgeport Connecticut in August of 1803. In 1822 Burr moved to Kingsboro, New York to study law. A year and a half later he was admitted to the New York Bar association. Burr must have questioned his choice of careers because shortly after being admitted to the Bar, he joined the New York State Militia. Though largely untrained in the art of surveying, Burr was assigned to work under Surveyor General of New York, Simeon De Witt, to survey several New York Roadways. Seeing a window of opportunity, Burr was able to negotiate with the governor of New York at the time, De Witt Clinton, to obtain copies of other New York survey work in order to compile a map and Atlas of the state of New York. Recognizing the need for quality survey work of its territory, the government of New York heartily endorsed and financed Burr's efforts. The resulting 1829 Atlas of the State of New York was the second atlas of an individual U.S. state and one of the most important state atlases ever produced. Burr went on to issue other maps both of New York and of the United States in general. In cooperation with publishing firm of Illman & Pillbrow, he produced an important New Universal Atlas and, with J.H. Colton, several very important maps of New York City. In recognition of this work, Burr was appointed both "Topographer to the Post office" and "Geographer to the House of Representatives of the United States". Later, in 1855, Burr was assigned to the newly created position of Surveyor General to the State of Utah. Burr retired from the position and from cartographic work in general in 1857 when light of some of his financial misdeeds and frauds came to light. He was accused of submitting false expense reports and underpaying employees, among other indiscretions. Learn More...
Source
Greenleaf, J., A New Universal Atlas; Comprising Separate Maps of all the Principal Empires, Kingdoms and States Throughout the World; and forming a distinct Atlas of the United States, (Brattleboro, Vermont: French) 1842.
Burr's New Universal Atlas was first published in 1835. It is one of the first great American commercial atlases and one of the most important to appear before the Civil War. Burr was most likely initially inspired to publish a 'universal atlas' in pursuit a more general audience by the success of his 1829 Atlas of New York State. He began work on the Universal Atlas sometime around 1830. By 1832 he had copyrighted eight new maps for the work. Around this time he accepted a position as topographer and cartographer for the United States Postal Department and was thus unable to finish the atlas personally. Instead, while retaining editing rights and overall ownership, Burr passed much of the production work to his engravers Thomas Illman and Edward Pillbrow. The first edition of the atlas was completed in 1835 and published by D. S. Stone of New York. A second edition, published by William Hall, appeared in the following year, 1836. Both editions featured 63 maps, the first part of the book being dedicated to world maps and the second part to the Americas, particularly the United States. Some of the 1836 editions feature outline rather than the distinctive full color common in the first edition. The plates for the atlas were later sold to Jeremiah Greenleaf who expanded the atlas to 65 maps and issued editions in 1840, 1842, and 1848.
Condition
Very good. Slight toning and margin foxing.
References
Rumsey 15176.000.