34 star personal or parade flag, ca. 1861-1863, plus important book on the exploration and mapping of the U.S.-Mexican border from Texas to California, both owned by U.S. Washington Territory Indian Agent, Westley B. Gosnell. 1st item: Personal or parade flag, printed cotton or muslin with 34 stars commemorating Kansas statehood, 9" x 5". Note: The 34-star flag became official on July 4, 1861, when Kansas gained statehood. The Civil War was already underway, with several Southern states having seceded from the Union. Abraham Lincoln, however, refused to recognize the right of those states to dissolve their ties with the United States, and would not authorize the elimination of any stars on the new flag. On his way to Washington for his inauguration, president-elect Lincoln raised the new flag over Independence Hall on George Washington's birthday in a gesture of national unity. 2nd item: REPORT ON THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO BOUNDARY SURVEY MADE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, WILLIAM H. EMORY, Vol. 1, published Washington, 1857, printed by Cornelius Wendell. Includes "Map of the United States and Their Territories Between the Mississippi and the Pacific Ocean and Part of Mexico" (tears and repairs at fold lines), numerous black and white landscape views of the American Southwest, several colored lithograph plates, fold out chart of Meteorological Observations, and several plates depicting native fossils and shells. Inscribed in pen inside front cover: "W.B. Gosnell, Olympia May 13, 1858." Book – 11" x 9 1/2". History: Wesley (also spelled Westley) B. Gosnall was appointed Indian Agent for the Washington Territory by Gov. Isaac Stevens and Special Indian Agent by President James Buchanan from approximately 1851-1865 and served several terms. He was noted for speaking several Native American dialects and for being well-liked by the tribes. He went on to serve as a Lewis County Commissioner in Washington State, and a school director and clerk. He also became a member of the state legislature and helped make many of the territory's early laws.

CONDITION: Flag: Scattered spotting, small stains left border, fraying at edges. Book: spine and map are detached; plate of Papagos torn; considerable toning, spotting, and some chipping and damp staining to other interior pages. Map with considerable chipping, tears and some taped repair at fold lines.