Unraveling an historic boundary puzzle through maps, debates, and careful evidence.
This nonfiction work traces how 18th‑ and 19th‑century interests shaped the interpretation of the treaty of 1783. It follows scholars, diplomats, and maps from Paris to Washington, showing how red lines on old charts fed stubborn claims about where a national border should lie.
The text centers on documentary clues, map provenance, and the voices that argued for different boundaries. It examines how maps were produced, preserved, and used in political debates, and what those maps imply about the limits and possibilities of the treaty.
- How Franklin’s map and other archive materials influenced boundary discussions.
- What roles critics and supporters assigned to a boundary line drawn through highlands and rivers.
- How different maps were evaluated for authenticity and authority in Congress and in debates.
- How the interpretation of historical documents shaped national claims and negotiations.
Ideal for readers of historical evidence, diplomatic history, and map-based argumentation who want a careful, documentary look at the boundary question.