In 1783, the Treaty of Paris brought an official end to the American Revolution (1775–83). Under the terms of this peace agreement, the British gave up a considerable amount of land to America. The new nation stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from the northern Florida boundary to New France, later known as Canada. The border was not yet well defined due to its remoteness with little settlement. The thirteen American states—once colonies under British control—had established their own form of government. Every state had its own legislature and constitution, and most had a bill of rights protecting basic liberties such as the right to free speech. Optimism ran high: Merchants, manufacturers, large plantation owners, and small farmers looked forward to selling their goods without the burden of British trade restrictions. Many Americans eagerly anticipated moving west to settle the fertile lands...