Research Laboratories of Archaeology


Early Maps of the American South
— Special Topics: Maps by Dumont de Montigny


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This page contains a list of all the known maps and drawings by Jean-François-Benjamin Dumont de Montigny (b. 1696). It builds on on Gordon Sayre's cartobibliography (2007). These manuscripts are now housed at Archives nationales, Paris (AN); Bibliothèque nationale de France (BNF); Newberry Library (NL); Library of Congress (LC); Service historique de la Défense, l’Armée de Terre (SHDA); and Service historique de la Défense, Marine (SHDM).

The entries are arranged in the following sets:

  1. Formal, colored maps and drawings from Dumont's "Memoire" (NL)
  2. Formal, colored maps and drawings from Dumont's "Poème" (BNF)
  3. Formal, uncolored map from Dumont's "Poeme" (LC)
  4. Engraved maps and drawings from Dumont's Mémoires historiques
  5. Formal, colored maps with the Belle-Isle crest (AN)
  6. Formal, colored maps with an unidentified crest (SHDA)
  7. Formal, uncolored maps formerly at the Service hydrographique (SHDM, BNF)
  8. Formal maps of the Missouri River settlements (ANOM, AMAE)
  9. Formal map of the Pascagoula concession (BNF)
  10. Sketch maps from the Delisle Collection (AN)
  11. Sketch maps in a different hand, formerly at the Service hydrographique (SHDM, BNF)
  12. Formal maps in a different hand, formerly at the Service hydrographique (SHDM, BNF)
  13. Bibliography

Each set consists of maps that were drawn by the same hand, in the same way, and presumably for the same purpose (Table 1).

Four of the sets (A-D) were produced as illustrations for Dumont's historical narratives.

Five other sets (E-I) consist of large, formal maps that were probably drawn as presentation pieces designed to impress Dumont's patrons. These maps are sometimes decorated with the patrons' coats of arms or have dedicatory inscriptions.

The remaining three comprise both sketches (J, K) and formal maps (L). All probably resulted from a collaboration between Dumont and Phillipe Buache. One is a holograph set (J), while other two were based on Dumont's prototypes but clearly drawn by others (K, L).

Seven of the manuscript sets consist of maps housed at a single repository. Three others (G, K, L) are now split between SHDM and BNF, but in 1927 (when Louis Karpinski photographed many of the maps) they were all at the Service hydrographique in Paris. The maps formerly in the Archives de la Service hydrographique were transferred to BNF, while those formerly in the Bibliothèque de la Service hydrographique are now at SHDM.

[The documents on this site were compiled by Vincas P. Steponaitis. Please email comments and suggestions to him at vps@email.unc.edu.]
 


A.   Formal, colored maps and drawings from Dumont's "Memoire" (NL)

Dumont made the maps and drawings in this set to illustrate his "Memoire de Lxx Dxx Officiere Ingenieur" which was completed in 1747 and dedicated to Charles Louis Auguste Fouquet, duc de Belle-Isle (Sayre and Zecher 2012:58). This manuscript now resides in the Newberry Library (Ayer MS 257) and has been published by Sayre and his colleagues in both French and English (Dumont 2008, 2012). All the images in this set are drawn in ink and colored, and all but the first were bound the text when the manuscript was acquired. The first map may well have served as the frontispiece, as its counterpart does in BNF version of Dumont's "Poeme" (Sayre 2007). The maps in this set share a palette that has a strong yellowish cast, somewhat different that the maps in the other formal sets. [NL-CARLI, maps & drawings] [NL-CARLI, dedication page] [NL, dedication page]

  1. Carte du cap François de Saint Domingue, de l’isle de Cube, de la Jamaïque avec le canal de Bahama, l’entrée du fleuve Saint Louis, et le pays de la Louissianne .... [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 1; 2012, fig. 1.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 1.] [This map was detached from the manuscript before it was added to the Newberry Library collection (whereas the 22 other illustrations were at that time still bound into its pages, and were removed later, to prevent further damage to them). In all likelihood it served as a frontispiece to the prose manuscript, because similar maps appear as frontispieces to the two extant copies of his Poeme. It is inscribed on the reverse “carte general no 1.”] [NL catalog] [NL] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI 1] [NL-CARLI 1 (d)] [NL-CARLI 2] [NL-CARLI 2 (d)]
     
  2. Isle Massacre ou Dauphine. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 2; 2012, fig. 2.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 2.] [Bound facing page 55.] [Jackson 158.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  3. Plan de Pensacolle. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 3; 2012, fig. 3.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 3.] [Bound facing page 57.] [Jackson 159.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  4. Plan du vieux fort du Billoxi. 2 établissement. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 4; 2012, fig. 4.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 4.] [Bound facing page 69.] [Jackson 160.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  5. Fort St Louis ou Nouveau Billoxy. 3me établissement. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 5; 2012, fig. 5.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 5.] [Bound facing page 104.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  6. Plan du fort des Yachoux, concession de Mgr le duc de Belle Isle et associéz. Détruit 1729. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 6; 2012, fig. 6.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 6.] [Bound facing page 122.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  7. Plan de la Nlle Orleans, ville capitalle de la Louissianne. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 7; 2012, fig. 7.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 7.] [This map was likewise detached from the manuscript before it was acquired by the Newberry library. An inscription on the reverse indicates that it was once bound opposite page 134.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  8. Habitation de l’autheur sur le fleuve. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 8; 2012, fig. 8.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 8.] [Bound facing page 212.] [NL catalog] [NL] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  9. Carte du fort Rozalie des Natchez françois avec ses dépendances et village des sauvages. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 9; 2012, fig. 9.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 9.] [Bound facing page 224.] [NL catalog] [NL] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  10. Campement de l’armée à Tombecbé. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 10; 2012, fig. 10.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 10.] [Originally placed facing page 256.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI 1] [NL-CARLI 1 (d)] [NL-CARLI 2] [NL-CARLI 2 (d)]
     
  11. [Campement] de l’armée françois [devant u]n village des ennemis [_______] les Chicachas le 26 [de mai] 1736. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 11; 2012, fig. 11.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 11.] [Bound facing page 262.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI 1] [NL-CARLI 1 (d)] [NL-CARLI 2] [NL-CARLI 2 (d)]
     
  12. Carte du Pouldu avec ses environs et la côte de la mer où on y voit la disposition de nos batteries et corps de garde, avec l’endroit où les anglois ont faits leur descent, le premier octobre mil sept cent quarente six, dans l’espérance où ils estoient de se rendre maistres de L’Orient et par cette conqueste, s’emparer de la Bretagne; mais où ils ont perdus leurs peines. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 12; 2012, fig. 12.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 12.] [Bound facing page 308.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  13. Concession des Chaouachas appartenante cy devant à Mgr le duc de Belleisle et associéz. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 13; 2012, fig. 13.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 13.] [Bound facing page 355.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  14. Sauvage à la chasse. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 14; 2012, fig. 14.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257.] [Bound facing page 359.] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  15. Sauvage avec ses anciennes armes, arc et flèche; sauvages dansant le calumet, avec le chichicoua à la main; sauvage piqué, avec ses armes nouvelles. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 15; 2012, fig. 15.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257.] [Bound facing page 360.] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  16. Instruments de musique. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 16; 2012, fig. 16.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257.] [Bound facing page 362.] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  17. A. Sauvagesse femme de chef avec ses ornement et une évantail de queue de dinde; B. Sauvagesse couverte d’une couverture de dinde ou d’oye et une micouanne ; C. Fille pucelle ayant un pillon en main pour piller le mahy ou bled de turquie. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 17; 2012, fig. 17.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257.] [Bound facing page 369.] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  18. Manièrre et représentation d’un cadre, ou les sauvages brulent à petit feu leurs prisoniers esclaves ; A. L’endroit où on met le feu après les tourments souferts ; B. Tas de canne qu’on allume pour poser le feu ou on veut ; C. Chevelure levée avant qu’on fasse souffrir l’esclave. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 18; 2012, fig. 18.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257.] [Bound facing page 379.] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  19. Instruments de guerre et batons gravés, et l’arbre qui marquent la guerre déclarée d’une nation à une autre. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 19; 2012, fig. 19.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257.] [Bound facing page 380.] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  20. Boeuf sauvage. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 20; 2012, fig. 20.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257.] [Bound facing page 407.] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  21. Logement de l’autheur à la Nlle Orleans. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 21; 2012, fig. 21.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257 map 14.] [Bound facing page 409.] [NL catalog] [NL-BPL] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  22. Crocodille ou cayment fixant ses oeufs. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 22; 2012, fig. 22.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257.] [Bound facing page 425.] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     
  23. Serpent à sonettes très dangereux, chaque grelot à la queue fait chaque année. [Reproduced in Dumont 2008, fig. 23; 2012, fig. 23.] [Newberry Library, Ayer MS 257.] [Bound facing page 425.] [NL-CARLI] [NL-CARLI (d)]
     

B.   Formal, colored maps and drawings from Dumont's "Poème" (BNF)

This set comprises the holograph maps and drawings bound with Dumont's manuscript "Poème en vers touchant l'établissement de la province de la Louisiane," currently at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (Arsenal, MS 3459). The manuscript was completed in 1744 and dedicated to Marc-Pierre de Voyer de Paulmy, Comte d'Argenson. It was edited and published by Marc de Villiers in the Journal de la Société des Américanistes (Dumont 1931). [BNF, complete ms] [BNF, title page] [BNF, Villiers article] [Persée, Villiers article]

  1. Carte du continent de l’Amerique et de ses isles principales les ports havres & rades, le debouquement du canal de Bahama l’entrée du fleuve du Missisipy avec les postes des Francois etablis en ce pays. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, pl. III.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  2. Carte de la disposition des maisons des habitants francois des natchez ... le village des savuages et deux concessions avant le massacre. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 43.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  3. [Top:] ille massacre ou nomee Dauphine. [Bottom:] pensacolle, ille Saint Rose. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 39.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  4. [Top:] Vieux fort ou billoxy. [Bottom:] nouveau billoxy. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 40.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  5. [Top:] Fleuve St. Louis, bayou St. jean, Nouvelle Orleans ancienne. [Bottom:] place de la nlle. Orleans. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 41.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  6. [Top:] Carte particuliere de la nouvelle orleans ___ des habitations, des environs, jusqu’au bayou St. Jean. Renfermait une lieue en quarré de pays. [Bottom:] concession de la terre blanche, fort des natchez. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 42.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  7. [Top:] Village des Tonicas. [Bottom:] fort des natchez. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 44.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  8. [Top:] plan du fort de la mobille, avec la riviere qui menes aux chactas et chicachas. [Bottom:] Rivierre de la mobille, fort de tombecbe. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 45.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  9. [Top:] A campement de larmee de Mr. de Bienville, B fort des chicachas ... [Bottom:] A Missisipy, B rivierre des arcs [arcansas], C rivierre st. francois, D fort de l’entrepos. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 46.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  10. [Top:] A, fort de l’entrepos; B, fort de Lassomption; C, riviere a margot; D, campement de l’armee; E, chemin pour aller aux chis. [Bottom:] concession des chaouachas. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 47.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  11. [Top:] fort des yachous. [Bottom:] maison du sergent assasiné pare les chicachas. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 55.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  12. [Carte du bas Mississippi.] [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 48.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  13. [Top:] calumet de ceremonie, chichicoua, pot ou caisse, casse tete. [Middle:] crocodrille. [Bottom:] cassetete ... poteau de ceremonie ... serpent a sonette. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 53.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  14. [Top:] manierre d Aprocher de toutes sortes animaux Sauvages en chasse. [Middle:] ours. [Bottom:] barbue, serpent bariole du jaune et rouge. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 52.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  15. [Top:] grondin chouxpique. [Bottom:] poisson armé. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 50.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  16. [Top:] sauvage avec ses armes ancienne, sauvages avec les armes francoises. [Bottom:] sauvagesse mariée, fille pucelle. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 51.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  17. [Top:] manierre de bruler les esclaves. [Bottom:] sauvage avec ses anciennes armes. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 54.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  18. [Top:] boeuf sauvage, serpent noir. [Middle:] arbre portant de la cire, Plaqueminier. [Bottom:] morille, champignon. [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 49.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     
  19. [Armoiries du Comte d'Argenson.] [Reproduced in Dumont 1931, fig. 38.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arsenal, MS-3459.] [BNF] [Villiers (p)]
     

C.   Formal, uncolored map from Dumont's "Poème" (LC)

The manuscript version of the "Poème" in the Library of Congress (Mss 5849) contains only one map, a view of the Louisiana colony, folded and bound into the front of the book. In its columnar layout and lack of color, it most resembles the maps in set G. It also shares the straight crossbar in the second letter of "carte" in the map's title, an uncommon trait in Dumont's formal maps. The verso is decorated with an elaborate crest, whose referent is unknown. The same is true of a second, different crest, placed at the top of the the facing page, so that both crests are visible in a single spread. The second crest sits atop a dedication that begins with "A Monsieur." Unfortunately the surname that follows this title was deliberately overwritten and obscured -- quite possibly by Dumont himself. The crest in the dedication contains the Latin motto juvat audaces, presumably a shortened form of fortuna juvat audaces (fortune favors the brave). Inside the manuscript's front cover is a printed sticker, dated 1872, that reads: "Histoire de la Louisiane, poème en quatre chants, dédié à M. le Garde des Sceaux, par Dumont de Montigny, lieutenant reformé, vers 1736." Garde des Sceaux (Keeper of the Seals) refers to a Royal office that was held by Henri François d'Aguesseau from 1737 to 1750, the time the Poeme was likely written. Interestingly, Marc René de Voyer de Paulmy (1652–1721), marquis d'Argenson -- the father of Marc-Pierre de Voyer de Paulmy (1696-1764), Comte d'Argenson, to whom the BNF Poème manuscript was dedicated -- was Garde des Sceaux from 1718 to 1720. (It is not clear whether the reference to Garde des Sceaux appears in the manuscript itself. Perhaps it is someone's reading of the palimpsest under the crest in the dedication.) [LC, page spread] [LC, crest 1 detail] [LC, crest 2 detail] [LC, dedication] [LC, front cover, verso]

  1. Carte de la Province de la Louissianne et ses dependeñ avec le cour du Fleuve Saint Louis autrefois dit Missisipi. [Library of Congress, MSS 5849.] [LC] [LC, verso (composite image)]
     

D.   Engraved maps and drawings from Dumont's Mémoires historiques

These engravings were published as illustrations in Dumont's Mémoires historiques sur la Louisiane, contenant ce qui est y est arrivé de plus mémorable depuis l'année 1687 (Paris, C.J.B. Bauche, 1753). Most are based on prototypes that appear in Dumont's manuscript histories, i.e., sets A and B above.

  1. Carte de la Louisiane. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 1, facing p. 1.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     
  2. L’Asminier. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 1, facing p. 54.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     
  3. Le Cotonier. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 1, facing p. 54.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     
  4. Le Pacanier. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 1, facing p. 59.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     
  5. Le Plaqueminier. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 1, facing p. 59.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     
  6. Terrain d'un Habitant en Elevation de dix toises de face sur vingt de profundeur. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 2, facing p. 47.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     
  7. Disposition des quatre isles ou quartiers qui forment la Nouv.lle Orléans avec leurs parapets et les Fossés dont ils sont entourés. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 2, facing p. 47.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     
  8. Plan de la Nouvelle Orléans Capitale de Louisiane. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 2, facing p. 51.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     
  9. Plan de la Concession de M. Le Blanc et associés aux Yazoux. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 2, facing p. 85.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     
  10. Plan du Fort Rozalie des Natchez avec ses Environs. [From Dumont 1753, vol. 2, facing p. 94.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Réserve A 200 225] [BNF]
     

E.   Formal, colored maps with the Belle-Isle crest (AN)

These four large holograph maps are all decorated with the crest of Dumont's patron, Charles Louis Auguste Fouquet, duc de Belle-Isle. This shared trait, along with their common provenance, suggests they were drawn as a set.

  1. Carte de l'sle de Saint Domingue, ainsy que celles de Cube, de la Jamaique, avec le Canal de Bahama, et la province de la Loüissianne, l'entrée du fleuve de saint Loüis ... . [Archives nationales (Paris), Cartes et Plans, N III Louisiane 2.] [HMC photo]
     
  2. Plan de la Nouvelle Orleans, ville capitalle de la Louissianne. [Reproduced in Marcel 1893, map 35.] [Archives nationales (Paris), Cartes et Plans, N III Louisiane 1/1.] [HMC photo] [Marcel (p)]
     
  3. Carte du fort Rozalie des Natchez françois ou l'on voit la situation des Concessions et habitations telles qu'elles étaient avant le massacre arrivé le 29 novembre 1729 et le tout par la faute de celuy que la Compagnie des Indes avoit choisi pour y commender. [Archives nationales (Paris), Cartes et Plans, N III Louisiane 1/2.] [HMC photo] [LC photo]
     
  4. Carte de la Province de la Loüissianne Autrefois dit le Missisipy. [Archives nationales (Paris), Cartes et Plans, N III Louisiane 1/3.] [AN catalog] [AN] [HMC photo] [LC photo]
     

F.   Formal, colored maps with an unidentified crest (SHDA)

This holograph set was likely intended to impress one of Dumont's patrons, whose coat of arms decorates all three maps. The crest (which belongs to neither Belle Isle nor d'Argenson) features two panels with rampant lions (or leopards?) alternating with plain panels. The maps are large and colored with a distinctive palette marked by darker-than-usual browns and greens.

  1. Carte de la Province de la Louissianne. [Service historique de la Défense, Département de l’Armée de Terre, Etat Major 7C 210.] [Formerly in Guerre Etat Major 7C 210.] [HMC photo] [LC photo]
     
  2. Fort Rozalie des Natchez ... . [Service historique de la Défense, Département de l’Armée de Terre, Etat Major 7C 211.] [Formerly in Guerre Etat Major 7C 211.] [HMC photo] [LC photo]
     
  3. Plan de la Nouvelle Orleans ville capitalle de la Louisianne et ses environs. [Service historique de la Défense, Département de l’Armée de Terre, Etat Major 7C 216.] [Formerly in Guerre Etat Major 7C 216.] [HMC photo]
     

G.   Formal, uncolored maps formerly at the Service hydrographique (SHDM, BNF)

These formal maps were drawn in Dumont's hand but not colored. They also share a distinctive, columnar layout that is found in only one other map, the one bound with Dumont's "Poeme" at the Library of Congress (set C). These maps and the one at LC also share a more subtle characteristic: a straight crossbar in the letter A wherever it appears in the map's title or the legend's banner. In most of Dumont's other formal maps, this crossbar has a distinctive "wrinkle" in the center. The "Loüisiane" map has an elaborate crest at the top whose referent is unknown.

  1. Carte de la Province de la Loüisiane autrefois le Mississipy. / Dumont de Montigny. [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des cartes et plans, Ge SH 18e pf 138 bis div 1 p 17 D.] [Formerly in Archives de la Service hydrographique, 138 bis 1-17.] [BNF catalog] [BNF] [HMC photo] [LC photo]
     
  2. Plan de la Nouvelle Orléans ville capitalle de la province de la Louissianne autrefois connüe par le nom du Mississipi en l'Amérique septentrionale. [Inset titled "carte de la province de Loüisianne."] [Service historique de la Défense, département Marine, Cartes et plans, recueil 68, no. 74.] [Formerly in Bibliothèque de la Service hydrographique, 4044C-62.] [LMS photo]
     

H.   Formal maps of the Missouri River settlements (ANOM, AMAE)

Both these formal maps were drawn by Dumont himself. Although they no longer reside together, two lines of evidence support the idea that they were made as a set. First is their subject matter, as both show French settlements on the Missouri River. Second is the style of the writing in the cartouche, with the title made of block letters filled with simple hatching -- a characteristic also shared with the lone map in set I. The "Plan du cours" map formerly in the Ministère des Affaires étrangères is now lost. Fortunately, it was photographed in by Karpinski in 1927. Thus we have a record of its content but not its colors, as the picture is in black and white. Even so, one can tell that the map was colored. The "Plan du fort" is the only Dumont map at ANOM, from the Dépôt des Fortifications des Colonies. How or when it was separated from the "Plan du cours" is unknown.

  1. Plan du cours de la R. des Missoury, avec le Fort d'Orléans établis par les François, ou Mr. de Bourgmont, Chr. de l'Ordre de St. Louis Commde., avec la situation des Villages Sauvages, le cours des Rochers, la situation des Isles, fait par le Sr.Dumont de Montigny. [BNF photo is a copy of the Karpinski photo at LC.] [Archives du Ministère des Affaires étrangères, Mississippi 1 & 2.] [NL catalog] [BNF catalog] [BNF photo] [LC photo] [HMC photo]
     
  2. Plan du fort d'Orléans, sa situation et celle des terrains sur la rivière du Missoury à XXXIX degrès XLV minutes de latitude. [Tracing published in Villiers 1930.] [Archives nationales d'outre-mer, 04DFC 63B] [ANOM] [NFA (d)] [IA, Villiers tracing]
     

I.   Formal map of the Pascagoula concession (BNF)

Of all Dumont's dated maps, the one that comprises this set is the earliest. A note on the front of the map says it was sent to France in 1726. Stylistically, it shares characteristics with set H, particularly the hatched fill in the letters of the title. It also shares an absence of color with the formal maps in sets C and G. Given these similarities, one is tempted to assign an early date to all these sets, but doing so with confidence would require additional evidence we currently lack.

  1. Carte de la riviere de Pascagoula, où l’on voit la situation des isles, lacs, et terrain des habitans. [Insets: "Concession de Mr. de Chaumont"; "Habitation du Sr. de la pointe au Pascagoula"] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des cartes et plans, Ge DD 2987 (8818 B)] [NL catalog] [BNF catalog] [BNF] [HMC photo]
     

J.   Sketch maps from the Delisle Collection (AN)

The six sketch maps in this set are part of the Delisle collection, which was sold to the French Depot des Cartes et Plans by the Delisle-Buache atelier in 1754 (Petto 2007:82). The maps likely date from ca. 1750, when Dumont lived in Paris and corresponded with Phillippe Buache (Sayre and Zecher 2012:41). All are drawn and annotated in Dumont's hand, and five of the maps (except for E.1) have “Par M. Du Mont de Montigny” written on them in a different hand.

  1. Cours de la rivierre des Arcansas ou zotaoüis dans laquelle a eté le Sr. de la Harpe a la decouverte d’un rocher demeraudes en 1722, et la ditte R. relevée par le Sr. Dumont demontigny lieutent de la Compagnie des indes et des Concessions du Marechal duc de Belleisle, etablie au yazoux. [Archives nationales (Paris), 6 JJ 75, pièce 254; Collection Delisle.] [AN photo]
     
  2. Billoxy. [Sayre: This map shows the camps of the concessions as they were in 1721.] [Written on map in a different hand: “Par M. Du Mont de Montigny.”] [Archives nationales (Paris), 6 JJ 75, pièce 251; Collection Delisle #14,140.] [AN photo]
     
  3. Le Grand Bayou. [Bayou St. Jean.] [Sayre: Depicts the habitations of Dugué, d’Hauterive, Giraudy, and Lavigne, and the path leading to New Orleans, though not the city itself.] [Written on map in a different hand: “Par M. Du Mont de Montigny.”] [Archives nationales (Paris), 6 JJ 75, pièce 252; Collection Delisle #14,141.] [AN photo]
     
  4. Ile dauphine premier etablissement de la compagnie des indes en 1716. [Written on map in a different hand: “Par M. Du Mont de Montigny.”] [Archives nationales, 6 JJ 75, pièce 242; Collection Delisle #14,139.] [AN photo]
     
  5. Carte de la Rivierre des Pascagoulas et sa source et son emboucheure. [Written on map in a different hand: “Par Mr. Du Mont de Montigny.”] [Archives nationales (Paris), 6 JJ 75, pièce 262; Collection Delisle #14,138.] [AN photo]
     
  6. Carte de la Rivierre des Yazoux ou Yachoux. [Written on map in a different hand: “Par Mr Du Mont de Montigny.”] [Archives nationales (Paris), 6 JJ 75, pièce 263; Collection Delisle #14,137.] [AN photo]
     

K.   Sketch maps in a different hand, formerly at the Service hydrographique (SHDM, BNF)

These seven sketches are annotated in a distinctive handwriting that is not Dumont's. It is a compact, cursive script marked by small counters, long descenders, and looping flourishes at the end of certain words (particularly those that terminate with an "e"). The content and layout of these maps so closely parallel those in Dumont's holograph sets that their ultimate attribution to Dumont is beyond question. Six of these maps have direct counterparts in Dumont's holograph sets; only one has a view that is unique. None of the maps are colored, and all have the appearance of quick copies. Even though they now are found in two different repositories, their similarity in style and handwriting clearly mark them as a set. Indeed, they all bear two versions of the same archival stamp, which suggests they were once housed together. The most likely explanantion is that these were copies of Dumont's maps made in Buache's atelier around 1750-51, when Dumont was in Paris and interacted with Phillippe Buache (Sayre and Zecher 2012: 41).

  1. Carte particulière des Natchez établi par les François et détruit par les sauvages dudit lieu en 1729, ledit poste éloigné de cent lieues de la Nouvelle Orléans. [Contains the note: "Avec l'attaque de ce village sauvage par Mr de Loubois. On fit ensuite la paix avec eux."] [Service historique de la Défense, département Marine, Cartes et plans, recueil 68, no. 60.] [Formerly in Bibliothèque de la Service hydrographique, 4044C-48.] [HMC photo] [LC photo]
     
  2. Carte particulière contenant depuis la Nouvelle Orléans 10 lieues de longueur le long du fleuve, avec le terrain des habitans qui fleurissoient sous Mr Périer. [Service historique de la Défense, département Marine, Cartes et plans, recueil 68, no. 61.] [Formerly in Bibliothèque de la Service hydrographique, 4044C-49.] [HMC photo]
     
  3. Carte de la Nouvelle Orléans avec ses environs c'est le 4ème établissement de la colonie. [Service historique de la Défense, département Marine, Cartes et plans, recueil 68, no. 73.] [Formerly in Bibliothèque de la Service hydrographique, 4044C-61] [LMS photo]
     
  4. Carte de la Nouvelle Orléans et du bayou St Jean tels qu'ils estoient avant que d'avoir été choisis pour en faire la capitale, ce n'estoit alors qu'un entrepôt pour les concessionnaires lorsqu'ils ont pris des terres sur le fleuve Saint Louis. [Service historique de la Défense, département Marine, Cartes et plans, recueil 68, no. 77.] [Formerly in Bibliothèque de la Service hydrographique, 4044C-65 bis.] [LMS photo]
     
  5. Plan du fort St Claude des Yasous, construit et tracé par l'auteur le Sr D pour la concession de Mr le Blanc. [Service historique de la Défense, département Marine, Cartes et plans, recueil 68, no. 76.] [Formerly in Bibliothèque de la Service hydrographique, 4044C-65.] [LMS photo]
     
  6. Carte de Pensacola avec les deux forts espagnols pris par l'escadre de m. de champmelin le 9 septembre 1719. : L'escadre française composée des Vx du Roy l'hercule, le mars, le triton, le Philippe v[aisse]au de la Compagnie trouvé devant l'Ile Dauphine, et l'Union v[aisse]au de la compagnie venant de France. Ce plan fut levé par l'auteur sur l'ordre de mr Chamelin après la prise du fort, le fort fut rasé et une partie des maisons. [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des cartes et plans, Ge SH 18 pf 138 div 9 p 6/1 D] [BNF catalog] [BNF] [BNF, verso] [BNF, enhanced]
     
  7. Carte du premier établissement de la colonie a l'ile dauphine, cette ile a 7 l. 1/2 de lieue 3/4 de large dans son plus grand espace, elle n'est que de sable et boisée. [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des cartes et plans, Ge SH 18 pf 138 div 10 p 13 D] [BNF catalog] [BNF] [BNF, verso] [BNF, enhanced]
     

L.   Formal maps in a different hand, formerly at the Service hydrographique (SHDM, BNF)

These two maps are drawn in a distinctive formal style by the same hand, which is clearly not Dumont's. Both appear to be based directly on sketches in set K. According to their legends, map L.1 is by "Sr D," and L.2 says is by "S. D." --- both presumably allusions to Sieur Dumont. BnF's catalog entry for F.2 names Dumont de Montigny as "Cartographe du modèle" and Philippe Buache as "Cartographe présumé." In all likelihood, these maps were drawn in Buache's atelier based on prototypes gleaned from Dumont. Even though the maps are now in different repositories they clearly comprise a set.

  1. Plan du fort St Claude des Yasous construit par le Sr D pour la concession de Mr le Blanc et ses associés. [Service historique de la Défense, département Marine, Cartes et plans, recueil 68, no. 78.] [Formerly in Bibliothèque de la Service hydrographique, 4044C-64.] [NL catalog] [HMC photo]
     
  2. Plan de Pensacole et des deux Forts Espagnols pris par l'Escadre de Mr. de Chamelin, le 9e de Septembre 1719. : ce plan levé par le S. D. ... âprès la prise du Fort par ordre de mr. de Chamelin, qui le fit raser avec une partie des maisons. [BNF attributes map to Dumont de Montigny as "Cartographe du modèle", and to Philippe Buache as "Cartographe présumé."] [BNF catalog: Polished version of Ge SH 18 pf 138 div 9 p 6/1 D. Compare to SHD-M, rec. 68, no. 78.] [Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des cartes et plans, Ge SH 18 pf 138 div 9 p 6 D.] [Formerly in Archives de la Service hydrographique, 138 9-6.] [NL catalog] [BNF catalog] [BNF] [BNF, verso] [HMC photo]
     

M.   Bibliography

  • Dumont de Montigny, Jean François Benjamin
    1753: Mémoires historiques sur la Louisiane, contenant ce qui y est arrivé de plus mémorable depuis l'année 1687. jusqu'à présent; avec l'établissement de la colonie francoise dans cette province de l'Amérique Septentrionale sous la direction de la Compagnie des Indes; le climat, la natur & les productions de ce pays; l'origine & la religion des sauvages qui l'habitent; leurs murs & leurs coutumes, &c. Edited by Jean-Baptiste Le Mascrier. A Paris, chez Cl. J. B. Bauche.
     
  • Dumont de Montigny, Jean François Benjamin
    1931 [1744]: "Poème en vers touchant l'établissement de la province de la Louisiane." Edited by Marc de Villiers. Journal de la Société des Américanistes, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 273-440.
     
  • Dumont de Montigny, Jean François Benjamin
    2008 [1747]: Regards sur le monde atlantique, 1715-1747. Edited by Carla Zecher, Gordon M. Sayre, and Shannon Lee Dawdy. Septentrion, Sillery, Quebec.
     
  • Dumont de Montigny, Jean François Benjamin
    2012 [1747]: The Memoir of Lieutenant Dumont, 1715-1747: A Sojourner in the French Atlantic. Translated by Gordon M. Sayre. Edited by Gordon M. Sayre and Carla Zecher. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
     
  • Sayre, Gordon M.
    2007: Carto-bibliography of Dumont maps. [HTML].
     
  • Sayre, Gordon M., and Carla Zecher
    2012: Introduction. In The Memoir of Lieutenant Dumont, 1715-1747: A Sojourner in the French Atlantic, edited by Gordon M. Sayre and Carla Zecher, pp. 1-45. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
     
  • Villiers du Terrage, Baron Marc de
    1930: A Hitherto Unpublished Plan of Fort Orleans on the Missouri. Mid-America 12(3): 259-263.