George Gauld
A general description of the sea-coasts, harbours, lakes, rivers et of the province of West Florida
1769
(0.1 linear feet (31p.))
917.59 G23
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Background note
The scientific exploration of the North American continent was a major priority of the American Philosophical Society from
at least the time of its reorganization in 1769. Surveyors, cartographers, and natural historians carried their work westward,
ultimately culminating in the expedition of Lewis and Clark in 1803, but particularly in the years prior to the Revolution,
others also sought to explore the southeast. Particularly after the APS began publishing its Transactions in 1771, the Society became a hib of activity for exploration and maping. Bernard Romans, Thomas Hutchins, and John and
William Bartram were all members of the Society -- indeed, John Bartram was one of its founders -- and they and others, like
William Stork, all submitted the results of their explorations to the APS for discussion, commentary, and dissemination.
Between 1764 and 1781, the Scots surveyor George Gauld was assigned by the British Admirality to chart the waters of the Gulf
Coast off British West Florida, an area that extended from New Orleans to the western coast of modern-day Florida. Viewing
his work as a benefit for navigators of all nations, not just Britain, Gauld readily shared his work, including with the APS.
He was elected to the Society in 1774. His subsequent history, however, was less happy. In 1776, Gauld was forced to suspend
his work in the Dry Tortugas and Florida Keys due to the depredations of American privateers, and he was taken prisoner at
the Siege of Pensacola in 1781. Carried off the Havana and then New York, Gauld was repatriated to England, dying shortly
thereafter at age 50. He is buried at the chapel in Tottenham Court Road, London.
Scope and content
George Gauld's manuscript, "A general description of the sea-coasts, harbours, lakes, rivers etc. of the province of West
Florida," was the result of a survey completed in 1769, and represents one of the first manuscripts added to the APS Library.
In some detail, Gauld's narrative progresses from New Orleans eastward to Florida, commenting on potential ports and any conditions
that might affect navigation.
The manuscript is accompanied by an extract of a letter from Dr. Lorimer to Gauld, August 13, 1772, transmitting a "sketch
of the Middle River and Yellow River" from Thomas Hutchins, and discussing both Hutchins and Bernard Romans. The map is included.
Upon receipt at the APS, the following comment was appended:
Administrative information
Restrictions
None.
Provenance
Gift of the author, 1773.
Preferred citation
Cite as: George Gauld, A general description of the sea-coasts, harbours, lakes, rivers etc. of the province of West Florida,
American Philosophical Society.
Processing information
Recatalogued, rsc, 2003.
Additional information
Related material
The APS Archives contains a letter from Gauld (Feb. 15, 1773) on The height of Catherine's Hill and of the Blue Mountains,
Jamaica, and a letter from Gauld to Hugh Williamson, Feb. 15, 1773, transmitting Lorimer's account of the Chester River and
also the description of the sea coast of Florida.
A copy of Gauld's Observations is held at the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University, which contains a brief account
of Gauld's surveying work.
References
Ware, John D., George Gauld, Surveyor and Cartographer of the Gulf Coast (Gainesville, Fla.: Univ. of Florida, 1982).
Gauld, George, Observations on the Florida Kays, Reef and Gulf : with directions for sailing along the Kays, from Jamaica by the Grand Cayman
and the west end of Cuba (London: W. Faden, 1796). Call no.: 973.3 Pam. no.34
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