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Detailed map of the Spanish possessions in North America, published in Paris in about 1788.
Published shortly after the Treaty of Paris ending the American Revolution, the map shows the entirety of the region west of the Mississippi River as "Spanish Possessions," along with East and West Florida, the later of which covers all of the future Alabama and Mississippi. Most of the area shown as Spanish Possessions had been transferred to Spain following the end of the French & Indian War, with East and West Florida becoming Spanish following the conclusion of the American Revolution, remaining Spanish from 1783 to 1821.
. The map covers the region from Florida to the west coast, with the western part of the present-day United States left completely blank and labeled Nouvelle Albion Suivant Drake and Quivira. There is good detail of the river systems and Indian tribes, particularly in the Southwest and the Mississippi River valley.
Louis Brion de la Tour (ca. 1743-1803) was a French geographer and demographer. Little is known about Louis’ early life, but some glimpses of his professional life survive. He did achieve the title of Ingénieur Géographe du Roi. Much of his work was done in partnership with Louis Charles Desnos, who was bookseller and geographical engineer for globes to the Danish Crown. He worked on the Indicateur fidèle ou guide des voyageurs, qui enseigne toutes les routes royales between 1762 and 1785. During his career he also worked on several atlases. By 1795, he had gained a pension from the National Assembly. Perhaps this pension was granted in part because his son, also Louis Brion de la Tour (1763-1823), was an engraver who made Revolutionary prints, as well as maps.
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