Reisen durch die innern gegenden von Nord-Amerika...aus dem Englischen

Hamburg: C.E. Bohn, 1780. First German edition and first edition in a foreign language, 8vo, pp. xxiv, 456; engraved folding map; nice copy of a scarce edition in 20th century 3/4 red morocco gilt by Stikeman. A seminal book in the history of the exploration of the American west, and a cornerstone in Minnesota history. Peace between Great Britain and France at the close of the French and Indian Wars in 1763 brought eastern Minnesota under the British flag for the first time, thus opening the vast territory to British fur traders. "Carver spent the winter of 1766-67 a short distance up the Minnesota River with the Sioux. He was then serving as mapmaker (truncated) and advance man on an expedition, led by Captain James Tute and inspired by Maj. Robert Rogers, commandant at Fort Mackinac, intended to cross the continent in quest of the Northwest Passage. The plan had to be given up, but Carver later wrote and published an account of his travels which became a "best seller" of its day, and gave to thousands on both sides of the Atlantic their first information about the Minnesota country" (Fridley, A Sketch of Minnesota, p. 3). Sabin 11187. (Inventory #: 8583)