Map of the United States Constructed on the Rectangular Tangential Projection.

This map, titled Plate III. Map of the United States, was drawn using a Rectangular Tangential Projection by J.H. Waddell, Assistant Professor of Drawing at the Virginia Military Institute. It was created under the direction of M.F. Maury, a respected professor of physics and a leading figure in American science. Produced by the Office of the Physical Survey of Virginia, the map was part of a broader effort to apply careful study and new methods to understanding the geography of the country.