The Reports of the Present State of the United Provinces of South America, Drawn Up By Messrs Rodney and Graham, Commissioners Sent to Buenos Ayres by the Government of North America and Laid Before the Congress of the United States

First thus.  A facsimile reprint of the original 1819 edition, with an additional scholarly introduction.  xiv, 358pp, includes a reproduction of the map in the original edition.  Brown cloth-covered boards, gilt-stamped lettering on the spine, gilt lettering and black relief on spine.  8vo.  Cloth is a little worn, somewhat sunned over the spine with title lettering faded.  Upper text block edge a little dust dulled.  Internally neat, clean, bright and tight.  

The US Government in the early 19th century viewed with interest the movements for independence in the Spanish-American colonies in South America.  In order to assemble information on which to base diplomatic policy, two commissioners were appointed to visit those areas and file reports to the President and Congress – it was one of the earliest commissions to Latin America.  The commissioners sailed from Norfolk Virginia in 1817.  Two important books resulted from their trip – this one and, Voyage to South America by fellow Commissioner Brackenridge.  Both works are in the original long out of print and can be considered rare.