The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-11-24

ity in the system throughout the State. II
have every reason to believe that the system
is an improving one, and that we shall real
ize from it the most beneficial results. Ex-
perience has shown from time to time where
in our Common School laws were defective.
The legislation of the last session, am IN
formed, had salutary effect in curing some
abuses. and some further legislation may be
necessary. But prefer to make no partic,
ular recommendations on the subject, as the
superintendent, from his knowledge OF the
practical working Of the system, is better
qualified than am to suggest such amend-
ments as are necessary. The amount DIS
tributed by the Literary Board for the last
two years for Common Schools, was the same
as that for several preceding years: that is
to say about the sum Of $780, so per an
nun.
transmit herewith certified copy of
law passed BY the Legislature Of the State Of
Virginia, proposing a joint commission 10
run and mark the dividing line between that
State and the State Of North Carolina. from
the point where the dividing line between
Pittsylvania and Henry counties. in the State
Of Virginia, ntersects with the North Caro-
lima line, to the Western limit OF this State.
II will be seen By reference to the map Of
this State, thai the proposed starting point is
in the northern boundary Of the county OF
Rockingham, and that the line extended west
passes along the northern boundary of the
counties of Stokes, Surry and .Ashe.
am not informed whether the whole boun-
Diary between the two States, east Of the pro-
posed starting point, is known and undis-
puted.
Il is hardly necessary for me to say that il
is highly important that the boundary be
tween the two States should be settled and
defined. While il is in dispute. questions
involving the rights and duties Of citizenship,
as well as title to property, will frequently
arise, and il will moreover be exceedingly DIFF
licult to bring offenders against the criminal
laws to justice, because, IN every Indictment,
III is necessary 10 aver that the offence was
committed in some one county in the State,
and to prove the sverment as laid before a
conviction can be made. The very upper.
feet manner in which the dividing lines be-
tween the older States of the Union were
originally run aud marked. has been the
source of no little trouble aud contention.
Our Bill Of Rights sets out the boundaries
Of the State, and after describing the suuti-
ern boundary, proceeds a. follows:
I. Therefore all the territories, seas, waters
and harbors, with their appurtenances, lying
between the line above described and the
southern line oil the State Of Virginia, which
begins on the sea shore, 10 Sc degrees 50
minutes north latitude, and from thence runs
west agreeable 10 the said charter of klng
Charles, are the right and property Of the
people Of this State, TO be held by them IN
sovereignty, any partial line without the con.
sent Of the Legislature Of this State, at any
time thereafter directed or laid ont, in any
wise notwithstanding"
After receiving the proposal from the au-
thorities of Virginia, was induced 10 exam
inc our early archives with view Of ascer-
tanning what evidence they might furnish from
which the line between this State aud Nlr-
gina, a originally run. might be ascertaned
Il appears that after many difficulties aud
disagreements between the authorities Oi the
two provinces, an agreement was made, sub
sequrntly sanctioned by the King 10 council
for the running Of the line. and that VIM.
Byrd aud Others on the part Of Virginia, and
christopher Gale and others on the part Of
North Carolina, were appointed commission.
ers Tor that purpose. The line was COM
menced III the month of March, 1923, on the
north side VI Currtuek Inlet, which, by OBJ
. seryation, was sscerlained 10 be IN abuat
ihirty.six degrees thiriy-one minutes nnrih
latitude. From thence the line was extend.
ed due vest making allowance for the sari.
alton d the compass, 70 the ChOwan River,
whlet was iniersrcied about la mile NORTH
u tie mouth 0f the Noitaway. Tie line was
then tnfned down tie ChuMan 10 the mouth
81 tie NottoHay, according to the agree.
ment, and. from tie middle Of the mouth 81
the Nuttoway. was again extended due west,
to the west side Of tie Mehe.rin River, abunl
two miles from The point where Il vas first
|. ntersected, the line crossing the river three
times IN that distance, Here tie commits.
siOner, agreed 10 suspend further operation.
until the ensuing fail, having first made nui
and signed duplicate maps and descriptive
reports u the line.
4 foil report. as 70 this part 81 the line, j.
70 be found 10 The journal d the proceeding.
|, u tie Governor and council under the Pro.
prieiaty government, now 10 tie office u iht
! Secretary u state. have not been able II
hhn any account OF report ~ the extension
81 The line further west among our archives
which, however, at that early day, are quit
. incomplete. II is highly probable, as tic
Proprietary government ceased soon after
that the subsequent reports Of the commits
. SINNERS we're Transmitted to the royal govern.
. meni, aud can only be found among tie pa.
, pefs Of The colonial office 10 England.
William Byrd one Of Tie Virginia Con4.
. missioners, left very full and interesting &C.
, count o. the extension Of the line, not pub
lished until the year 1871. under Tie title q
! !" Wcstoser Manuscripts and from whiei
! i appears that the commissioner. resume,
! tlclr work il the month d September, I71S
. and extended The line. conformity, 10 pom
. on the llicO river, nov il the county d Per,
son, believe, when The North Carolina tom
. missOners aud one Of The Virginia Commits
. si0ners declined 20 90 further, on tile rfonnt