Webster certainly was a good attorney for the United States in settling the boundary disputes, as is shown by the battle of the maps.

The territorial contentions of both countries hung largely upon the interpretation of certain clauses of the first American treaty of peace.

Webster therefore ordered a search for material to be made in the archives of Paris and London.

In Paris there was brought to light a map with the boundary drawn in red, possibly by Franklin, and supporting the British contention.

Webster refrained from showing this to Ashburton and ordered search in London discontinued.