The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-16

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD


Although reference is constantly had to this line here
are perhaps, but few persons comparatively acquainted
with its locality and less with its history and ultimate
adjustment. shall endcavor to give the readers Of the
IirRMD an insight into both these matters.
In the specification Of limits between the colonies Of
Pennsylvania and Maryland, there certainly pausi-
bic ground for contention, and the rival claims Of the
propieta les formed fruitful Of discomfort to
themselves and annoyance to the coonists. Whatever
might have been the merits Of the either side
long vexatiou and bitter contest from the
attempt TO act upon the charter Of Pennsylvania After
many Intellectual attempts to adjust the limits
between the colonies, the in dispute re-
erred to the Lords OF the Committee of Trade and Plan
atioDs; these, after hearing both parties made their
eport TO King James H., who in November 1885, by
order Of Council, determined the affair by ordering
division of the disputed territory BY the terms Of this
order the tract living between the river and bay Of Della
ware and line from the latitude of Cape Henlopen
the orcth degree Of north latitude adjudged to be-
long to his Majesty, King James II, and the
Of the eastern shore OF Maryland assigned to
Lord Baltimore. The order Of Council was not
acted upon. In the meantime fresh Of contention
arose, which served 10 compicate matters sti
One Of the original disputes respecting the orteth de-
gree Of north latitude Maryland contending that the
in its charter ito the foreth degree meant forty
degrees complce"-thc Assembly and propretarie Of
Pennsylvania their part insisting that in the char.
ter of Penns yvania the expression ITO begin at the
ginning OF the forteh degree Of north latitude ought
be construed TO be where the thirty ninth degree
completed
This dispute involved tract OF country nearly 900
square miles in extent and had IL been assigned TO Lord
baltimore the superhces Of Pennsylvania would have
been reduced nearly onefourth.
Thus matters went on until 1882 when in August of
that year compromise Effected and commissioners
t}ye boundaries In eonrovepsy The duty ASSIGNED 70
these commissioners to trace the following lnes:-
Beginning at Cape Henopen and thence due west to
the western side Of the peninsula which lies upon Chesa
peske bay, and FAR westward the exact middle Of
that part Of the peninsula where the said line is rum"
thence north 10 the west part Of circle twelve
miles radius Newcastle the Delaware being the
ire From the tangent thus obtained Hue due nor.h
10 the PARALLEL Is statute miles south of Philadelphia,
and thence by the extension OF this parallel the west
ern boundary Of fennsylvania.
The commissioners met, but differing i'm.
beultes created delays whilst the nhabitsns Who had
settled the places where the lines supposed
run WERE In the meantime, sub tied to vexaous de-
mans from both colonies the ordinary process Justice
was interrupted and the tenure of property rendered
In 1895 the Penn family Of closing tho contro
versy the Of the compromise Of 17 instituted
suit in the Chancery of Great Britain. In 100 the
Lord Chancellor Hardwck desired that the articles 81
Nav 10 1872 should be carried into execution and that
proper should be appointed for that pur
pp;n,ment November 1s 1850 but disagreed respecting
the mode Of extending the arc OF circle around New
ss,s ana an nA ear rns 81 their duties
Twelve years again elapsed before efficient attempts
were made 10 close this tedious affair. Finally in 1862
he resncc,jve propctarics agreed 90 employ Charles
Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, two eminent mathematicsns
who forthwith prooeeed to the accomplishment Of their
tak OF surveying and marking the boundaries between
Tennsy Maryland and Delaware and thus closed
troubles me colonial litigation Of eighty years
Although Mason and Dixon determined the boundaries
between the states just mentioned 1t l. only that portion
the line which constitutes the southeastern boundary
Of Pennsylvania that Is frequently referred to-
Mason and Ii1on line, proper. extends 10 point about
forty miles west ~ the river and r. the
western boundary Of Pennsylvania as some imsginc,ho
proe nraon 81 thai boundary beyond The western term
ns zion 81 Mason and nyons Line having beeu traced
se,eftl yesTs subsequently. VI : TkNNFR