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Early map of the California gold region. Wheat notes that "this was the first map to make any pretense at cartographic accuracy after the gold discoveries. Edward Otho Cresap Ord had a distinguished career in the army. Born at Cumberland, Md., Oct. 18, 1818, he early demonstrated great mathematical ability and graduated from West Point in 1837... In 1847 he went to California via the Horn with Lt. Henry W. Halleck (a classmate) and Lt. Wm. T. Sherman...." The map was published in United States, House Executive Document No. 1, 30th Congress, Second Session [To accompany President Polk's Message to Congress of December 5, 1848]; original folds. Wheat, Maps of the Gold Region 54 (reproduced as an inserted plate).