Brooks: Diplomacy and the Borderlnds 53

limits of that territory still remained uncertain. In dealing with
these two sets of problems the diplomats at Washington were to
have appreciable leeway. In contrast, the actual circumstances of
occupation indicated very nearly the line to be agreed upon between
Louisiana and Texas. Over the treatment of the Floridas the nego-
tiators had, between 1815 and 1819, to reach an accord dictated by
the long-aceepted fact that Spain must yield title to the provinces
at the best obtainable bargain.
 Another notable contrast between the eastern and western parts
of the frontier is that of geographical knowledge. Centuries of ex-
perience had led to a thorough comprehension of the Florida ter-
rain, but the farther one looked toward the Pacific the less sure
could one be of the location of rivers, mountains, and landmarks.
To the credit of the various explorers of intervening years be it
said that, although in 1803 the western boundary could not have
been drawn effectively, in 1819 enough was known to make possible
a practicable delineation.