WELD (Isaac). Voyage au Canada pendant les années 1795, 1796 et 1797. Paris, Lepetit, year 8 (1800); 3 vol. in-8 (192 x 124 mm), shagreened basane, smooth spine decorated with gilt vases (Period bindings). Large map and 11 plates including the "famous Niagara jump". First French edition. An Irishman, convinced that the political situation would lead many of his compatriots to emigrate, Weld visited America and Canada to investigate ways of life, the opportunities and disadvantages of each state and town, social organisation... and to describe the beauties of nature. "Covering an area between the St Lawrence River to the north, Virginia to the south and the city of Detroit to the west, he travelled using a wide variety of means of transport: on foot, on horseback, by boat, canoe and horse-drawn carriage. He met people from all walks of life, in town and country, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson (...) and the Amerindians...". In the end, Canada, and Quebec in particular, seemed to him the best place to welcome Europeans. A fine copy (minor worm damage at the bottom of the hinges of vol. 3).