Du Prratz, Antoine. An Account of Louisiana Exhibiting a Compendious Sketch of Its Political and Natural History and Topography, with a Copious Appendix Containing Several Important Documents (New Bern: Franklin & Garrow, 1804), 18mo (6 in.), full calf with gilt rules and title plate to spine; the first 272 pages use content from the Du Pratz 1759 Histoire de la Louisiane; the Appendix follows and consists of an "Extract From the Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, January 12, 1803"; "An Account of Louisiana (Communicated by the President to the House of Representatives)"; "Proclamation. In the name of the French republic. Pierre Clement Laussat, Colonial prefect and commissioner of the French government - To the People of Louisiana."

From the Estate of the late Patricia Scott Manson, Durham, North Carolina

With the Louisiana Purchase of April 30, 1803, the United States grew overnight by obtaining nearly a million square miles located west of the Mississippi River. This small book was published to inform the American public about limitless opportunity awaiting them in the vast new western lands. The fact that Indian nations were in the way makes for another story in another book.

The back board and the adjacent free endpaper are disbpund; numerous early 19th century inscriptions on endpapers; the tightly bound leaves show age toning, scattered foxing, and some light damp stains; calf loss to both ends of the spine; the gilt title remains intact and quite clear.