Full title is "Report upon the Colorado River of the West, Explored in 1857 and 1858 by Lieutenant Joseph C. Ives, Corps of Topographical Engineers, Under the Direction of the Office of Exploration and Surveys." This tour-de-force of early anglo exploration in the Western US followed the Colorado River north from its mouth at the Gulf of California, eastward south of Grand Canyon (which he calls Big Canyon), and across the Navajo lands to Fort Defiance (then in the Territory of New Mexico, now the State of Arizona). In the author's words, "The main object of the work being to ascertain the navigability of the Colorado..." He determines, "that the Colorado would be found an economical avenue for the transportation of supplies to various military posts in New Mexico and Utah." Further, the Lieutenant presents an appreciative but unvarnished view of the region by writing, "The region explored after leaving the navigable portion of the Colorado -- though, in a scientific point of view, of the highest interest, and presenting natural features whose strange sublimity is perhaps unparalleled in any part of the world -- is not of much value." The volume is divided into five parts with appendices. Part I is a detailed log of their travels from the Gulf of California to Fort Defiance recounting the challenges of the journey and the peoples encountered along the way. In this section are beautiful panoramic sketches that, in the most economical artistic sketches, capture the grandeur of the topography. Also included are beautiful pen-and-ink drawings of the scenery, and most significantly, full-color drawings of the Native American peoples that the expedition met, notably the Moqui (Hopi) and Navajo. Parts II through V cover the Hydrography, Geology, Botany, and Zoology of the region. The various appendices document the numerous astronomical and barometric observations made throughout the expedition. As a whole, this Report records a significant period of American history, capturing early impressions of a land then regarded as hostile, uninviting, and inaccessible, yet establishing expectations of its future opportunities and benefits to the young nation. The report has been rebound with a hard, cloth cover, and all the original pages, maps, illustrations, and color plates appear to be present. Some foxing and water staining appears on the outside edges of the pages along with some handwritten notes in a very few places. It is in otherwise excellent condition.Date: 1861Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: