Travels Through the United States of North America, the Country of the Iroquois, and Upper Canada, in the Years 1795, 1796, and 1797; With an Authentic Account of Lower Canada. Vols. I & II

London: R. Phillips, 1799. First English Language Edition. Hardcover. Good. 2 vols.: xxii, 642, [12]; 686, [10] p. 28 cm. Frontispiece folding map in each volume: Map of the United States and Canada in vol. I and Map of the Northern Provinces of the United States in vol. II. Vol. II has second map opposite p. 17, Map of the Southern Provinces of the United States. Vol. II also has 6 fold-out charts towards rear. Half leather with black cloth. Moderate wear to extremities. Foxing and thumbing to both volumes. Vol. I: Repair to map and title; chip to bottom of first page of Preface; ink marks margins of pp. 53-56; ink and pencil notations to p. 139; large tear p. 157. Vol. II: chips to bottom of title and next page; tear in fold of second map; original paper fault to p. 215; some stains to margins; red marks to text block edge.

An exiled French nobleman, the Duke traveled in all the Eastern states, the Great Lakes region and Upper Canada, making the acquaintance of many groups of people. He was especially interested in economics, but had much to say about the native tribes, natural history, and social and religious communties such as the Shakers. The observations of this distinguished author, made during a three years' residence, extend to the political constitutuion of the country, the manners of the inhabitants, geography and natural history. The translator, Neuman, appears to have performed his task well and was also well acquained with the country described. His notes frequently increase the reader's knowledge or correct errors in the original. This work became a standard source book for the history of the USA at the close of the 18th century. First editions are rare. TPL 682.