The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-03-14
Who Owns the Savannah River2

Recent action in our Legislature brings up
the question of t heboundary line between this
State and Georgia.
On Wednesday night last, bill to incorpo-
rate the Carolina Water Company, with the
privilege of constructing dam across the Sa-
yannah river, was under consideration, the en-
acting clause of which was finally stricken out,
as the opinion obtained that this State has no
jurisdiction over the waters OF said river.
It is on record, that in the year 17S7, Com
mission met in Beaufort, for the purpose OF ad-
iusting the boundary between the two States,
and settling the controversy which had arisen
on the subject The terms of agreement were
left very ambiguous, but the construction put
mon them bv Georgia, and tacitly, at least, as
sented to by the people of South Carolina, has
been that Georgia was to have the exclusive
control of the Savannah river, for all lawful
purposes whatever.
The Commission did not visit the line on the
upper Savannah at all, and the terms of agree
ment in relation to this portion of the bounda-
ry are left even more ambiguous and uncertain
than are those which refer to the lower coun-
ties. In other times and under the old order
of things when internal improvements were
few: and not highly valued, it was a matter OF
comparatively small importance which side OF
the river the line was established but now, it
becomes question of vital Importance to have
ali our resources developed and utilized, espe-
cially those which will improve our commercial
and manufacturing interests. lie the people OF
this State, but more particularly those owning
lands adjacent to the Savannah river, 1t Is a
question of considerable moment, whether the
valuable water privileges along this river may
be claimed and used by them, or whether they
are to be debarred from what would seem TO be
a natural right
The construction put upon tie agreement of
1857 which in general way has oeen asseneeo
to bv us, will efectually prevent any improve
u,ents being made along the South Carolina
side of the river. There are those who desire
TO establish mills and manufactures upon water
sites. but they may not tap the river to draw
off water for the purpose. They wish in some
cases, above the point of steamboat navigation,
to build canals around falls and rapids, for
transportation of goods in barges: but are shut
off from making these improvements, unless by
special grant of the Georgia Legislature. Be-
sides these things, the valuable fishing interests
of the river should certainly be shared by this
State and not monopolized by our neighbors.
In view of all these facts, joint resolution
was recently passed by our Legislature, making
it the duty of the Governor to correspond with
the Governor of Georgia, and when his consent
is gained. to appoint three Commissioners on
the part of this State, to secure, if possible, a
readiustn,ent of the boundary line, and obtain
the privileges so important to the people OF
South Carolina
We are informed by persons who apparently
know whereof they affirm, that these negotla..
tions will be entered into by the citizens of
Georgia in friendly and liberal spirit, and
that we shall be able to secure all the advant-
ages we ask.-C6lum6ia Union.