[AMERICANA]. THOMAS, David (1770-1857). Travels Through the Western Country in the Summer of 1816… Auburn, NY: David Rumsey, 1819. 12mo. 320 pp. With Errata slip pasted onto the rear flyleaf, as issued. Lacks folding map, as is common to this title. Bound in contemporary full mottled calf, spine ruled in gilt, red gilt morocco lettering label (binding worn, scuffed, soiled, text toned, foxed, soiled, a few gutters starting). Good. FIRST EDITION OF THIS RARE ACCOUNT OF THOMAS' EXPLORATION OF THE WABASH LANDS IN THE NEW PURCHASE. "This journey was undertaken with a view to explore the Wabash lands in the New Purchase. It is a work of sterling merit. The author (a Quaker) was a practical engineer, and on the whole, the work, although very unpretentious in style, is well worthy of attention; The route of the author was down the Ohio, stopping at all the towns and places of interest on both sides of the river; the description of the journey to Vincennes, occupies the first half of the volume; page 189 to the end consists of 'Additional Notices of the Western Country.'" (Thomson 1139). An important work of early exploration of the Midwest, including early Indiana.