AHU_ACL_CART_1064, Arquivo Historico Ultramarino, Lisbon.

This map is part of a report traditionally attributed to João Massé, dated 1714. The map, which carries the date of 1713, is believed to be the first known map that shows the urban center more or less to scale and located between the four hills that set its boundaries: Morro do Castelo [Castle Hill], Morro do Santo Antonio [St. Anthony Hill], Morro do São Bento [St. Benedict Hill], and Morro da Conceição [Conception Hill]. The map shows the city defended by fortresses on the water and by a hill at the back of the city. [1] According to Francisco José Corrêa–Martins, Massé was a French Huguenot who came to Brazil as a military engineer in the service of the Portuguese crown following the attack on Rio de Janeiro by the French. Corrêa–Martins finds no evidence that the maps attributed to Massé were in fact drawn by him. [2]

[1] The report is titled “Relação de todas as fortificações e reparações necessárias para a conservação e defesa da cidade de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro e do seu pôrto, Rio de Janeiro,” and it is dated May 1, 1714. Arquivo Historico Ultramarino, Lisbon.

[2] Francisco José Corrêa-Martins, “O Brigadeiro de Infantaria e engenheiro prático João Massé: um herege ao serviço del Rey,” in VIII Simpósio Luso-Brasileiro de Cartografia Histórica, ed. Mário Gonçalves Fernandes (Porto, Portugal: Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto, 2020), 83–106.

The legend is shows the military improvements being planned and built in Rio following the attack on the city by the French.

Translation:

Legend – the lines outlined in yellow show the works, and newly made repairs, or that have begun since the month of July 1713.
The yellow lines show the works that have been determined but not yet begun.
A – Fortress of São Sebastião [St. Sebastian] with its works, indicated and finished.
B – Bulwark designed on the site where the Sé [Main Church] lies, with its Line of Communication.
C – The Jesuit Colegio [residence and school] with its enclosed lands and paths.
D – The Misercordia [hospital].
E – The Old Fortress of St. Iago [Santiago].
F – Designated Warves.
G – Warehouses of the King.
H – Mint.
I – Carmo [Carmelite] Monastery.
L – Governor’s Resident and Customs House.
M – São Bento [St. Benedict–Benedictine Order] Monastery, with its its enclosed lands and paths.
N – Warehouses of the Junta.
O – Gunnery of Prainha, which must be repaired.
P – Warehouses of the Terceiros [a religious order].
Q – Fortress do Conceição [Conception] with its links to the sea and the city wall.
R – Bishop’s House with its patio in front.
S – City Wall.
T – Monastery of Santo Antonio [St. Anthony–Franciscan Order] with its its enclosed lands and paths and a work sited at the top of the hill.
V – Cobras [Snakes] Island with its designated fortifications and its point of communication.
X – Line that shows another place where the wall can be joined, if desired. The [military] quarters can be included within it.