1848 Streit Map of the United States of America, w/ Republic of Texas

A scarce 1848 German-language map of the United States by Friedrich Wilhelm Streit, published by J.C. Hinrichs'sche Buchhandlung. It is notable, among other features, for its illustration of Texas as a republic and for its inclusion of ephemeral territorial borders in the central part of the United States.

A Closer Look

Taking in the United States, its territories, and parts of British North America (Canada) and Mexico, the map outlines states and territories in lovely hand coloring for easy differentiation. Though published after Texas' admission to the Union, it is maintained as an independent republic here, without its panhandle, 'stovepipe,' or enlarged western portion often seen in contemporary maps, representing the largest claims of the republic cum state.

A large unincorporated territory occupies what is now the Plains States, with Native American groups listed in considerable detail. Railways, roads, canals, cities, forts, Native American groups and settlements, and topographic features are indicated throughout, according to the legend at the bottom right. At the top-right is another legend explaining the color outlines that differentiate states. At bottom-left are inset maps of the cities of Washington, D.C., Boston, New York, and Philadelphia (with Trenton).

The territory soon to become the Western United States maintains several cartographic myths (such as the Buenaventura River) and does not reflect the discoveries of the Frémont expeditions earlier in the decade. Although some settlements in Alta California are noted (including San Francisco), details are fairly limited, suggesting publication before widespread news of the gold discovered there had reached the mapmakers.

The Mainzer Adelsverein - A German Colony in Texas

The German colony highlighted in Texas was officially called the Mainzer Adelsverein at Biebrich am Rhein. Founded on April 20, 1842, the society attempted to establish a German colony within the Republic of Texas. The land where the immigrants intended to live was to be purchased by the Adelsverein or granted to them by the Republic of Texas. The first colonists associated with the Adelsverein arrived in Galveston in July 1844. In December 1844, the immigrants moved to Indianola and then farther inland to grants near Comal Springs. The first colony was New Braunfels, named by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels (the first commissioner general of the Adelsverein) after his homeland. The second commissioner-general, John O. Meusebach, founded Fredericksburg in 1845, the first settlement outside the land grant, here as 'Deutsche Colonie des Mainzer Ver.' (a nearby French colony is also noted, near San Antonio, the result of efforts by French impresario Henri Castro). The Adelsverein ended its campaign to colonize Texas in 1853 due to a large amount of debt. Nonetheless, during this period, Texas built a significant German population, and New Braunfels retains its German heritage.

Publication History and Census

This map was originally prepared by Friedrich Wilhelm Streit and published by J. C. Hinrichs'sche Buchhandlung. In both institutional collections and sales in recent years, we note editions from 1841, 1842, 1844, and 1851, in addition to the present 1848 edition, presumably derived from a map prepared by Streit before he died in 1839, which has since disappeared. Regardless of edition, the map is quite rare, with the present edition only noted among the institutional holdings of the University of Texas at Arlington.