Mitchell Map

Mitchell Map is the common name used to refer to a map made by John Mitchell and all the various reprints made during the late 18th century. The Mitchell Map was used as a primary map source during the Treaty of Paris (1783) for defining the boundaries of the newly independent United States. The map remains important today for resolving border disputes between the United States and Canada and between states within the United States. The Mitchell Map is the most comprehensive map of eastern North America made during the colonial era. Its size is about 6.5 feet wide by 4.5 feet high.

The creation of the map

John Mitchell was not a professional cartographer. He was born in 1711 to a well-off Virginian family and educated in medicine in Scotland. Like other doctors educated in Scotland at the time, he became interested in natural science and botany. His interest in cartography began during a 1746 visit to England. At the time there was a growing conflict between British and French colonial activity, which was soon to turn violent in the French and Indian War. After his 1746 visit to England, Mitchell became interested in publicizing the French threat to the British colonies in America. He decided to make a map to show the threat, in particular the way the French were "surrounding" the British colonies. In addition, he wanted to show in map form the French encroachment upon British territory as specified in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht.

A first draft of the map was made in 1750. It was only a rough draft, but it brought Mitchell to the attention of the Board of Trade and Plantations, which employed Mitchell in the creation of a new map. In this capacity, Mitchell had access to the Board's private collection of maps and reports. In addition, the Board instructed the colonial governors to send Mitchell detailed maps and boundary information.

Mitchell's new map was published in 1755 by the London publisher Andrew Millar. A year later the Seven Years' War (known as the French and Indian War in the colonies) broke out between Britain and France.

The first edition of Mitchell's map, copyrighted February 13, 1755, was titled A Map of the British and French Dominions in North America .... A second edition was quickly produced, probably in 1757, which included two large blocks of text describing the data sources and how they were compiled into the map.

The map

Although Mitchell's map went through several editions over the late 18th century, the various edits and changes were mostly minor corrections or inset boxes. The bulk of the map remained the same in the various editions, although many copies were hand colored in different ways. In any of its editions and reprints the map is generally referred to as "the Mitchell Map".

Many other cartographers making maps of North America in the late 18th century used the Mitchell Map as a reference, and some copied it extensively. Thus some of the errors and distortion of shape are found repeated on many maps of the time.

The map is liberally sprinkled with text describing and explaining various features, especially in regions that were relatively unknown or which were subject to political dispute. Many notes describe the natural resources and potential for settlement of frontier regions. Others describe Indian tribes. Many Indian settlements are shown, along with important Indian trails.

Since Mitchell's main objective was to show the French threat to the British colonies, there is a very strong pro-British bias in the map, especially with regard to the Iroquois. The map makes clear that the Iroquois were not just allies of Britain, but subjects, and that all Iroquois land was therefore British territory. Huge parts of the continent are noted as being British due to Iroquois conquest of one tribe or another. French activity within the Iroquois claimed lands are noted, explicitly or implicitly, as illegal.

In cases where the imperial claims of Britain and France were questionable, Mitchell always takes the British side. Thus many of his notes and boundaries seem like political propaganda today. Some of the claims seem to be outright falsehoods.

The map is very large and the notes are often very small, making it difficult to view online. Reduced scale copies result in unreadable notes. The following list gives a few examples of the kind of notes found on the map, with Mitchell's spelling:

The region of today's central Tennessee and Kentucky (between the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers): A Fine Level Fertile Country of great Extent, by Accounts of the Indians and our People

In the area between the Mississippi River and the Tennessee River: This Country of the Cherokees which extends Westward to the Mississipi and Northward to the Confines of the Six Nations was formally surrendered to the Crown of Britain at Westminster 1729

In the Great Plains: The Nadouessoians are reckoned one of the most Populous Nations of Indians in North America, altho' the number and situation of their Villages are not known nor laid down.

Along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, present-day Texas: Wandering Savage Indians

Southwest of Hudson Bay: The long and Barbarous Names lately given to some of these Northern Parts of Canada and the Lakes we have not inserted, as they are of no use, and uncertain Authority.

North of Lake Huron: MESSESAGUES - Subdued by the Iroquois and now united with them making the 8th Nation in that League. (reference to the Mississaugas)

Missouri River: Missouri River is reckoned to run Westward to the Mountains of New Mexico, as far as the Ohio does Eastward

Present-day Iowa: Extensive Meadows full of Buffaloes

Sandusky, Ohio: Sandoski - Canahogue - The seat of War, the Mart of Trade, & chief Hunting Grounds of the Six Nations, on the Lakes & the Ohio.

Central Pennsylvania, north of present-day Harrisburg: St. Anthony's Wilderness

Illinois region: The Antient Eriez were extirpated by the Iroquois upwards of 100 years ago, ever since which time they have been in Possssion of L. Erie (reference to the Erie (tribe))

Along Illinois River and overland to the south end of Lake Michigan: Western Bounds of the Six Nations sold and Surrendered to Great Britain

Illinois region: The Six Nations have extended their Territories to the River Illinois, ever since the Year 1672, when they subdued, and were incorporated with, the Antient Chaouanons, the Native Proprietors of these Countries, and the River Ohio. Besides which they likewise claim a Right of Conquest over the Illinois, and all the Mississippi as far as they extend. This is confirmed by their own Claims and Possessions in 1742, which include all the Bounds here laid down, and none have ever thought fit to dispute them. (reference to the Illiniwek)

Just below the previous note: The Ohio Indians are a mixt Tribe of the Several Indians of our Colonies, settled here under the Six Nations, who have always been in Alliance and Subjection to the English. The most numerous of them are the Delaware and Shawnoes, who are Natives of Delaware River. Those about Philadelphia were called Sauwanoos whom we now call Shawanoes, or Shawnoes. The Mohickans and Minquaas were the Antient Inhabitants of Susquehanna R. (reference to the Lenape, Shawnee, and Susquehannock Indians]

Southeast Missouri area: Mines of Marameg, which gave rise to the famous Mississippi Scheme 1719.

North Florida: TIMOOQUA - Destroy'd by the Carolinians in 1706 (reference to the Timucua)

South Georgia: COUNTRY OF THE APALACHEES - Conquered & surrendered to the Carolinians, after two memorable Victories obtain'd over them & the Spaniards in 1702 & 1703 at the Places marked thus [crossed-swords] (reference to the Apalachee)

Alabama area: The English have Factories & Settlements in all the Towns of the Creek Indians of any note, except Albamas; which was usurped by the French in 1715 but established by the English 28 years before. (reference to the Creek people)

Yazoo River: River of the Yasous - The Indians on this River were in Alliance with the English, for which they have been destroyed by the French (reference to the Yazoo tribe)

Many geographic features are labeled with names no longer in use or oddly spelled, including:

New River: Gr. Conhaway called Wood R. or New R.

Kentucky River: Cuttawa or Catawba R.

Clinch River: Pelisipi River (a tributary is labeled Clinch's R.)

Tennessee River: River of the Cherokees or Hogohegee R. Upstream another label says River Hogohegee or Callamaco

French Broad River: Agiqua R.

Little Tennessee River: Tannassee or Satico R.

Hiwassee River: Euphasee

Ohio River: Ohio or Splawacipiki R.

Altamaha River: Alatamaha or George R.

The map also included non-existent features such as Isles Phelipeaux and Pontchartrain in Lake Superior.

Use at the Treaty of Paris

A few copies of the Mitchell Map were used during negotiations at the Treaty of Paris. The most prized copies today are those on which lines were drawn defining boundaries. The boundary of the new United States was drawn as a red line. Only three "red line" maps are known to exist today.

Great Lakes Drainage

Of interesting note is the multiple drainage paths of the many Great Lakes, some resembling then and now try riverbeds from the end of the ice age...

Editions

1st Edition, 1st Issue, 1755
1st Edition, 2nd Issue, 1755
1st Edition, 3rd Issue, 1755
2nd Edition, 1755-1757
3rd Edition, 1st Issue, 1773-1775
3rd Edition, 2nd Issue, 1773-1775
3rd Edition, 3rd Issue, 1773-1775
4th Edition, 1775

References