A rare Revolutionary War chart of the harbour of Charleston, South Carolina, published by William Faden at the beginning of the British Southern Campaign. The campaign in the north had not advanced and it was believed that the less populated south could be more easily subdued. Sir Henry Clinton was sent south with a force of about 8,700 men and disembarked just south of Charleston at North Edisto Inlet on 11 February 1780. At first as the British forces advanced the beleaguered city the towns people encouraged the American General Benjamin Lincoln to protect them. In the ensuing weeks the mood changed, and the people requested he surrender. With no escape route available to him, Lincoln surrendered on 12 May. The capture of 8,500 was the largest single loss of American men in the entire war.

This fine separately published map was published as the campaign started but too soon to record the capture of the city. The American defensive positions of ‘Johnston Fort’ and ‘Fort Moultry’ are shown along with extensive navigational information. Most interesting is the road network in the region and the identification of property owners.

William Faden (1749-1836) was a successor to the business of Thomas Jefferys (1719-71). On the death of Jefferys much of the stock was sold but his son, also Thomas Jefferys (fl.1772-76), continued in partnership with Faden. By 1776 Jefferys appears to have stepped aside leaving Faden in complete control. He went on to produce many fine large maps of all parts of the world. Provenance: private English collection. Brown & Cohen (2015) pp. 122-5; Nebenzahl (1974) pp. 164-5; Nebenzahl & Higginbotham (1975) 78; ODNB; Sellers & Van Ee 1543.