In the preface to History and Topography of the United States the author comports to provide the reader with a wholistic view of history of the United States, from discovery and colonization of North America, to the Declaration of Independence, and onward to the fiftieth year of the Republic. To do so, the author vows to provide a historical narrative that traces the origin and progress of the inhabitants of the United States in a manner that connects the social state and political institutions of the people, their trading activity and commercial resources, and the physical structure and natural history of the territory to the principal events that have facilitated or retarded their advancement.
In Volume 1, the reader will find information on the discovery and colonization of North America, the history of the American colonies, from commencement of the French War, to the Declaration of Independence, and onward to the fiftieth year of the Republic. Volume 2, devoted to the topography of the United States, provides an expansive view of the physical geography, natural history, statistics, state of society and topography of the United States.
Both volumes of the work contain numerous illustrations documenting the history and topography of the United States. The illustration were provided by various artists, with all the engravings being made from drawings made on the spot. The beautiful illustrations provide accurate detail of early nineteenth century America.
