INTRODUCTION. 



This atlas is composed of 76 maps, of which 15 are new and made especially for it, while the 

 remaining 61 are facsimile reproductions of old ones. Of these facsimiles 48 are reproductions of 

 maps previously published, while the remaining 13 are made from manuscripts. 



The atlas has been prepared and printed under the direction of a Commission appointed by the 

 President of the United States in pursuance of the Act of Congress approved December 21, 1895, 

 to investigate and report upon the true divisional line between the republic of venezuela 

 and British Guiana. 



The new maps have been made, the old ones selected, and the whole arranged for the purpose of 

 illustrating papers embodying the results of the investigations made by this Commission. Pursuant to 

 this purpose, the maps fall naturally into three groups, as follows: 



Part I consists of 15 maps, numbered 1 to 15, and exhibits graphically historical and geo- 

 graphical data gathered by the Commission. The same base map is used throughout this group. 

 This base map has been compiled, drawn, engraved, and printed under the direction of the Commission. 



Part II consists of 41 facsimile reproductions of maps previously published. These have been 

 selected and arranged with a view to illustrating a report, by the Secretary of the Commission, on the 

 Cartographical Testimony of Geographers. 



Part III consists of facsimile reproductions of maps emanating from official or semi-official sources 

 These are largely from manuscript originals hitherto unpublished, and have been partly collected 

 by the Commission, partly submitted to it. They are here printed to illustrate a report, by Professor 

 George L. Burr, on Maps from Official Sources 



Washington, D. C, 



February, 1897. 



