The American Geography; Or, a View of the Present Situation of the United States of America

London: John Stockdale, 1792. Second Edition. Hardcover. Very good. xvi, 536 p. 22 cm. 2 fold-out hand-coloured outline maps and a fold-out chart. Quarter leather with marbled paper boards. New endpapers. Gilt trim on spine. Some light stains to text block edges.

Title continues: "Containing Astronomical Geography. - Geographical Definitions, Discovery, and General Description of America and the United States: - Of their Boundaries; Mountains; Lakes; Bays and Rivers; Natural History; Productions; Population; Government; Agriculture; Commerce; Manufactures; and History. - A Concise Account of the War, and of the important Events which have succeeded. With a Particular Description of Kentucky, The Western Territory, and Vermont. - Of their Extent; Civil Divisions; Chief Towns; Climates; Soils; Trade; Character; Constitutions; Courts of Justice; Colleges; Academies; Religion; Islands; Indians; Literary and Humane Societies; Springs; Curiosties; Histories; &c. To Which is Added, An Abridgment of the Geography of the British, Spanish, French, and Dutch Dominions in American and the West-Indies.-Of Europe, Asia, and Africa." Geographer Jedidiah Morse (1761 – 1826), known as the "father of American geography," produced textbooks which became a staple for students throughout the United States. He was the father of the telegraphy pioneer and painter, Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872). A Congregational minister by training, Jedediah delivers a diatribe against slavery on pp. 65-67: "A European writer has justly observed, that 'if there be an object truly ridiculous in nature, it is an American patriot, signing resolutions of independency with the one hand, and with the other brandishing a whip over his affrighted slaves'" (p. 65).