A123 - A Topigraphical Chart of the Bay of Narragansett

Charles Blaskowitz & William Faden

h41" x w29"

P

Such was the importance of Rhode Island that this is just one of a number a number of maps of the area produced at the time, many based on Blaskowitz' work. This plan closely resembles J.F.W. Des Barres publication made, presumably from the same Blaskowitz surveys, just a year later, for the Atlantic Neptune (see A106). Not to be undone the French also produced their own version of the map, made by Georges-Louis Le Rouge, entitled Port de Rhode Island et Narragansett Baye (Paris, 1778).

 

All of maps were widely used by the military and public on both sided of the conflict. The strategic significance of the Narragansett region, with Rhode Island and the town of Newport to the British, Americans and French both before and during the Revolutionary War cannot be understated. As a deep-water port on the Atlantic seaboard between New York and Halifax it gave the occupying Navy an essential stronghold over the coastline, not least for all matters of enforcing custom duties.

 

Significantly this publication includes military disposition with a key to the principle Batteries in the area, including the number and size of canon in each location, whereas Des Barres' version concentrates on the Naval engagement with the French in 1778. The topography is depicted through hatchuring; Fields, boundaries, settlements, houses, farms, roads and even trees are clearly depicted. Also of note is the inclusion of Blaskowitz's famous list of principle farmers and land-holders of the area which dates from his initial 1764 survey.

 

It is generally accepted that upon his arrival in the area, initially in 1764 but also around 1774-75 Blaskowitz was approached by the principle land-owners and farmers to detail their holdings in his survey. Whether Blaskowitz received recompense for this from them is unclear, but it is not unheard of for impoverished surveyors to look for ways to advance themselves with map publishers or inculcate themselves with local dignitaries.

 

Also of note on this chart is Faden's inclusion of a near advertisement for the area with a marginal text which praises Rhode Island for the "perfection" of its fish, and notes that residents are free to practice any religion they choose.

 

Faden's dedication to Hugh Earl Percy on the bottom left of the publication is significant as Percy was one of the British Commanders (Lieu. General) until 1777, when he resigned his commission in protest to to the command decisions of General William Howe. which raises the question as to this publication was a statement of public support for Percy's views on the war?

A Topigraphical Chart of the Bay of Narragansett