Thus the negotiation closed.  The only serious objection to its results was that the interests of Maine were sacrificed perhaps unduly,—­as a recent discussion of that point seems to show.  But such a sacrifice was fully justified by what was achieved.  A war was averted, a long standing and menacing dispute was settled, and a treaty was concluded which was creditable and honorable to all concerned.  By his successful introduction of the extradition clause, Mr. Webster rendered a great service to civilization and to the suppression and punishment of crime.  Mr. Webster was greatly aided throughout—­both in his arguments, and in the construction of the treaty itself—­by the learned and valuable assistance freely given by Judge Story.  But he conducted the whole negotiation with great ability and in the spirit of a liberal and enlightened statesman.  He displayed the highest tact and dexterity in reconciling so many clashing interests, and avoiding so many perilous side issues, until he had brought the main problem to a solution.  In all that he did and said he showed a dignity and an entire sufficiency, which make this negotiation one of the most creditable—­so far as its conduct was concerned—­in which the United States was ever engaged.

While the negotiation was in progress there was a constant murmur among the Whigs about Mr. Webster’s remaining in the cabinet, and as soon as the treaty was actually signed a loud clamor began—­both among the politicians and in the newspapers—­for his resignation.  In the midst of this outcry the Senate met and ratified the treaty by a vote of thirty-nine to nine,—­a great triumph for its author.  But the debate disclosed a vigorous opposition, Benton and Buchanan both assailing Mr. Webster for neglecting and sacrificing American, and particularly Southern, interests.  At the same time the controversy which Mr. Webster called “the battle of the maps,” and which was made a great deal of in England, began to show itself.  A map of 1783, which Mr. Webster obtained, had been discovered in Paris, sustaining the English view, while another was afterwards found in London, supporting the American claim.  Neither was of the least consequence, as the new line was conventional and arbitrary; but the discoveries caused a great deal of unreasonable excitement.  Mr. Webster saw very plainly that the treaty was not yet secure.  It was exposed to attacks both at home and abroad, and had still to pass Parliament.  Until it was entirely safe, Mr. Webster determined to remain at his post.  The clamor continued about his resignation, and rose round him at his home in Marshfield, whither he had gone for rest.  At the same time the Whig convention of Massachusetts declared formally a complete separation from the President.  In the language of to-day, they “read Mr. Tyler out of the party.”  There was a variety of motives for this action.  One was to force Mr. Webster out of the cabinet, another to advance the fortunes of Mr. Clay, in favor of whose presidential