Arrowsmith’s map first map relating the discoveries in Western Australia appeared in his ‘London Atlas’ of 1834. Seven states of the map are known, of which this is the sixth, with no change to the cartography, which shows the south-west region of the state, with five inset maps on the left-hand side of the main map of: Guildford, Augusta, Kelmscott, Perth and Fremantle. The original dedication to R.W. Hay and the plate number are erased. An additional marginal title ‘Statistical Report on Western Australia 1837’ appears top right, outside the neat-line.

On 2 May 1829 Captain C. H. Fremantle of the ‘Challenger’ took possession, at the mouth of the Swan River, of the whole of Australia which was not then included within the boundaries of New South Wales. Captain James Stirling, would arrive later, with other civil officials, including John Septimus Roe (1797 – 1878), in the store-ship ‘Parmelia’, proclaiming the foundation of the Swan River Colony on 18 June.

Roe thought he would be posted to the new colony in Western Australia for two years, however, he eventually stayed for forty. As Surveyor-General of the new colony, Roe was very influential in the development of Western Australia. “He made surveys of the sea approaches to the Swan River, surveyed the sites of Fremantle and Perth, and “with one sickly assistant” superintended the marking of the town lots and land taken up by the pioneer settlers. He was responsible for drawing up most of the land regulations” (Uren).

This map is based on Roe’s earliest surveys of the region, made between 1830 and 1832; but also shows the tracks of fellow explorers from 1829-1832, who are now commemorated by local landmarks and towns. The accompany report, serves as a detailed history of the colony from its inception, and is a glowing advertisement for emigration. At the time, the colonial population of Perth was counted at 590, with the whole of Western Australia at 2032.