Utah Historical Quarterly Volume 9, Number 1-4, 1941

FATHER ESCALANTE'S MAP

By J. Cecil Alter The original map made to accompany the diary of Father Silvestre Velez de Escalante through Utah in 1776, appearing herewith opposite pages 64 and 65, is published now for the first time, so far as known. T h e photographic copy from which the accompanying plates were reproduced has been in my possession four years, awaiting a suitable opportunity for publication in the Utah Historical Quarterly.

Credit is due to Mr. Herbert S. Auerbach for his assistance in enlarging and retouching the photograph in order to secure clarity in reproduction. Though the original is legible and readable almost in its entirety with the aid of a reading glass, many details would have been lost in the plate-making process without this painstaking work.

T h e original is in the Deposito de la Guerra at Madrid, Spain (No. LM 8a-la-a.40), according to Col. Lawrence Martin, Chief, Division of Maps, U. S. Library of Congress. T h e Congressional Library has a photograph of the original map, and it was from this photograph the accompanying reproduction was made, by the gracious consent and cooperation of the Librarian of Congress and Col. Martin.

The map is catalogued as No. 593 (but is not reproduced) in the Woodbury Lowery "Descriptive List of Maps of the Spanish Possessions within the Present Limits of the United States, 15021820," now in the Library of Congress.

That the map was made soon after the completion of the expedition is indicated by the following letter, which appears on page 471 of The Diary and Itinerary of Francisco Garces, 17751776: My dear Sir: I have received the diary and the map that you sent me in the letter of the 5th of May, on the discoveries which the right reverend priests. Friar Franco Atanacio Dominguez and Friar Silvestre Velez de Escalante, have made from the capital of this district to the port of Monterey; and at an opportune time I shall communicate to you my decision on this affair. May God keep you many years. Mexico, 30th July, 1777.

(Signed) kisses the hand of you, your most attentive, faithful servant.

The Cavallero de Croix.

Senor Don Pedro Fermin de Mendinueta, Santa Fe.