[4]. 211 pp. Folding engraved map. (4to) 26.7x21 cm (10½x8¼"), period tree calf, rebacked with modern calf, spine lettered in gilt, raised bands. First Edition.
Arthur Dobbs, an Anglo-Irish politician who was later to acquire large landholdings in North Carolina and served as governor of the colony, was heavily involved in attempts to find a Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic during the 1740"s. He actively worked to have the Hudson’s Bay Company’s trade monopoly revoked on the grounds that they showed little or no interest in promoting discovery expeditions relating to the Northwest Passage. The present work was compiled from various sources, both French and English - Dobbs himself never saw Hudson's Bay. The significant map is titled "A Map of Part of North America From the Latitude of 40 to 68 Degrees, Including the late discoveries made on Board the Furnace Bomb Ketch in 1742. And the Western Rivers & Lakes falling into Nelson River in Hudson's Bay. as described By Joseph La France a French Canadese Indian who Travaled thro those Countries and Lakes for 3 Years from 1739 to 1742." It measures 33x47 cm (13x19½"), and shows North America from the Great Lakes north, including, to the west, a "Part of California" with Cape Blanco named. The map has light offsetting, short stub tear repaired on verso, and is trimmed at lower right margin as issued for folding. In his comments on the book, Warren Heckrotte adds that "The account of Defonte's voyage is the first appearance in a book. This appearance rescued it from well deserved obscurity and it played a substantial role in the debate over a northwest passage and was well represented on maps for the next 25 to 30 years. A significant imaginary voyage. Green, in his Remarks in Support of the New Chart of North and South America, in six sheets, on p 26 states that he makes use of La France's map for the region north and west of the five [great] lakes."
Further Notes from the Files of Warren Heckrotte
Full title: An Account Of the Countries adjoining to Hudson's Bay, in The North-West Part of America: Containing A description of their Lakes and Rivers, the nature of the Soil and Climates,and their Methods of Commerce, &c. Shewing the Benefit to be made by settling Colonies, and opening a Trade in these Parts; whereby the French will be deprived in a great Measure of their Traffick in Furs, and the Communication between Canada and Mississippi be cut off. With An Abstract of Captan Middleton's Journal, and Observations upon his Behaviour during his Voyage, and since his Return. To which are added. I. A letter from Bartholomew de Fonte, Vice-Admiral of Peru and Mexico; giving an Account of his Voyage from Lima in Peru, to prevent, or seize upon any ships that should attempt to find a North-west Passage to the South Sea.II An Abstract of all the Discoveries which have been publish'd of the Islands and Countrues in and adjoining to the Greaat Western Ocean, between America, India, and China, &c. pointing out the Advantages that may be made, if a short Pasage should be found thro' Hudson's Streight to that Ocean. III. The Hudson's Bay Companys Charter. IV. The Standard of Trade in those Parts of America; with an Account of the Exports and Profits made annually by the Hudson's Bay Company. V. Vocabularies of the Languages of several Indian Nations adjoing to Hudson's Bay. The whole intended to shew the great Probability of a North-West Passage, so long desired; and which (if discovered) would be of the highest Advantage to these Kingdoms. By Arthur Dobbs, Esq; London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion in Ludgate-Street. M DCC XLIV..
Provenance: PBA, 10/30/97
References: Hill Coll, p 84. Howes D 373. G. Williams, British Search for Northwest Pasage. Verner, Stuart-Stubbs, no 21, (R).