Alexander, one of the leading members of the Council of New England and the first Viscount of Canada, had been given large grants of land by James I and Charles I of England. He proposed a system for the colonization of New England which would divide the region among twenty English lords, whose names are recorded on the map. These lords would then govern their estates as feudal manors.

Alexander used this map to promote his idea to the English Court. Ultimately, however, competition from the Massachusetts Bay Company and support for the Puritan cause defeated the Viscount's plan.

The physical item is not available at the Boston Public Library.