Issue

Our half-known new western empire was mapped, in a great mass exploration, by the Army’s Pacific Railroad Surveys of 1853

Common Sense was a bestseller and turned the tide of public feeling toward independence, but for its author fame was followed by ingratitude.

Form the Journal of Comte Jean-Francois-Louis de Clermont-Crèvecoeur

A Little Visit to the Lower Depths via

The Navy and contractor Smith accused each other of fraud. The Navy won—until the President took a hand

Their homely symbols tell us more about voter behavior than party platforms do

A reminiscent tribute to a great American painter, with an evocative selection from thousands of unpublished sketches