[HISTORIES]. WILLARD, Emma. Last Leaves of American History: Comprising Histories of the Mexican War and California. New York: George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway; London: Putnam’s American Agency, Removed from Paternoster Row to J. Chapman, 142 Strand, 1849. [1-3] 4-230, 2-10 [ads] pp., folded map (Map of the United States Mexico &c.... Colton, 1849; 33.5 x 52 cm). 8vo (19 x 13.5 cm), original green embossed cloth. Somewhat shelf slanted; spine faded to brown; a few stains; spine chipped. Text and map moderately to heavily foxed; some bolts roughly opened; map repaired.

First edition. Cowan II, p. 684. Rocq 17245. Tutorow 3248. Wheat, Mapping the Transmississippi West 594.

A succinct history of the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century, the majority of which traces the history of California. Nevertheless, much ink is spilled on the Texas problem, which Willard blames on Paredes’ intransigence. The first 105 pp. cover the Mexican-American War in Mexico and the West. The text has pacifist overtones.

The author, a leading nineteenth-century American educator, was instrumental in expanding educational opportunities for women. Willard founded the Troy Female Seminary in 1821. “She evolved new methods of teaching geography and history and published geography and history textbooks which won immediate recognition and were widely used” (DAB). See also Notable American Women III:610-19.