This careful study of eighteenth-century cartography along the Gulf 
Coast reveals a fascinating mix of cooperation and competition 
between Spain and France.

    Louis Juchereau de Saint-Denis explored much of the region 
around the Gulf and sent data to his homeland of France, but he also 
shared information with Spanish officials. Juan Manuel de Oliván 
Rebolledo used this information to create several maps, one of which 
was drawn to demonstrate how Spain might protect itself from the 
French threat in Louisiana and Canada.

    Information from the Oliván/Saint-Denis maps soon emerged on 
French maps. Guillaume Delisle's 1718 "mother map" of the Gulf 
Coast was made possible by Francois Le Maire, a virtually unknown 
French missionary in Mobile. Jack Jackson and Winston De Ville 
examine Le Maire's various memoirs and maps, which relied on 
Saint-Denis for their portrayal of the "Western Country." Le Maire's 
work explains how Delisle acquired the information to draw his 
profoundly influential map.

    This important book for cartographers will also be of interest to 
the lay historian and the Gulf Coast enthusiast.

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The late JACK JACKSON wrote many books on Texas history, 
including Los Mesteños. ROBERT S. WEDDLE, a Fellow of the 
Texas State Historical Association, is the author of many books, 
including The Wreck of the Belle, the Ruin of LaSalle. He lives in 
Bonham, Texas. WINSTON DE VILLE, an historical researcher 
residing in Ville Platte, Louisiana, has written a number of publications 
on French Colonial Louisiana.