Politically charged map showing the southwest of North America including Mexico, California and Texas as a separate Republic. 

Texas had declared independence from Mexico in 1836 and had been recognised as a Republic by both Great Britain and France in 1840. Mexico never acknowledged it as an independent state, always considering the region as a rebel province. Gilbert here takes the British view and marks it as separate from Mexico both in its cartographic portrayal, which has been carefully carved out from Mexico and in the title which lists Texas as separate. 

Ultimately this would lead to the short Mexican American War of 1846-7 and the rapid establishment of the western Territories and States of the United States. 

Original colour. [USA10094]