Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
The area shown lies between New York City, off the lower edge of the map, and the Great
Lakes region. At right, the Hudson River flows through and beyond Albany, which lies at its
fork with the Mohawk River (here named the Maquas). Heading westward past Lake Oneida
we come to 'Cadragqua Lake' (now Lake Ontario). This is joined to Lake Erie by the Niagara
River, on which lay a 'great fall' - an early mention of Niagara Falls, then recently discovered
by the French. The areas with little detail are those where Römer used others' descriptions.
In the empty spaces he drew an Indian village, a turkey, beavers and bears.
In a detailed note below the title, Römer explains that he actually visited only three of the
Five Nations. From Albany he journeyed west to the Mohawks, the First Nation, and thence
to the 'Onyades' (Oneida) and the Onondaga, the Second and Third Nations. He then relates
mysteriously that he was 'stoped and could not procede any forther for sum important reas-
ons'. Whatever these were - perhaps to do with local politics - he did not continue further
west to visit the Cayuga and the Seneca, although he includes their lands on his map. Instead,
he turned north to reach part-way up the Oswego River in the direction of Lake Ontario be-
fore, his provisions low, he turned back for Albany.
Although Römer was unable to visit the Fourth and Fifth Nations, he was still among the
first Europeans to visit the Iroquois, and to map the locations and names of their settlements
(denoted here by cabin symbols). He conveys the impression that it was relatively easy for
Indians from the Great Lakes to bring furs to trade in Albany, via Lake Ontario and Lake
Oneida. His map shows a short portage to transfer goods overland from the latter to the Mo-
hawk River (although he had not himself seen this). In the midst of his explorations, Römer
also carried out his military commission. He selected a site, shown by a fort symbol where
the Oswego River joins the south-west corner of Lake Ontario, and there a British fort was
eventually built.
