Cogula

ref. 75326 — HOOD Washington. Sammelband of government documents with 2 autograph cover letters relating to the work of the U.S. Topographical Engineers 1838-1840. Bound in full black morocco triple-ruled in blind six gilt-rules floral corners elaborate inner gilt dentelles T.e.g. Spine reads: Bureau of U.S. Engineers; Reports of 1838-1839 Inclusive. Army Register for 1839. Orders to 1st Jany 1840. Professionally rebacked spine laid down some faint scattered foxing else very good. Washington Hood 1808-1840 an 1827 graduate of West Point was a noted topographical engineer. Hood's map of the Oregon Territory compiled in 1838 was used by the U.S.A. as justification for its occupation of the territory. In 1835 Hood worked with Robert E. Lee to help develop the boundary between Ohio and Michigan. In 1839 President Van Buren sent Hood to survey the Shawnee lands between Arkansas and Missouri to use to make land grants by law and issue patents to Indian tribes west of the Mississippi. During this expedition Hood contracted the disease that was to kill him at 32. Pages 17-19 of Van Buren's Message #2 below deals with Hood's survey and boundary marking between Indian tribes west of the Mississippi. Pencil ownership note on front endpaper reads "J.W.P. Lewis Esq. Civil Engineer. Care of Joseph Willard Esqr. Attorney at Law Counselor. Boston." Lewis was a civil engineer who became one of the most noted American designers of lighthouses the Sand Key lighthouse Key West Florida in 1853. 1. Documents Accompanying the Report of the Chief Engineer. Washington DC: n.p. 1838. 1st ed. Pp. 189-415. 3 engraved folding maps Flinns Knoll Light Governors Island Oc. 1838; 2 Prequ'ile maps of 1838. Relates to the Cumberland Road in Indiana the Arkansas Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and Lake Erie. With several marginal pencil marks by Hood. 2. Message from the President of the United States Showing the Operations of the Topographical Bureau during the Year 1839. 26th Congress 1st Session. Senate Doc. 58. Washington DC: Blair & Rives printers 1840. 1st ed. 271pp. Pages 17-19 relate to Hood's survey west of the Mississippi and have two pencil corrections by him. There are other marginal annotations by Hood including a note criticizing a decision about using hemlock timber. 3. Officia. unknown