Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-02-19


Potomac had been but little ex-
plored and although the stream
itself above It's confluence with the
Shenandoah was known as the
Cohongoroota, or Upper Potomac,
it had never been made the subject
of any very accurate surveys and
examinations, nor had it yet been
settled, by any competent authority,
which of it's several tributaries was
entitled to be regarded as tho main
or principal branch of the river. 1t
became important, therefore, to re-
move all further doubt upon that
question.
In June, 1920, the lieutenant.
governor of Virginia addressed n
communication to the lords com.
missioncrs Of trade and plantation
affairs, in which he solicits their
attention to the ambiguity OF the
lord proprietor's charter, growing
out of the fact that there were
several streams which might be
claimed as the head springs of
Potomac river, among which he
enumerates the Shenandoah, and
expresses his determination "to re.
fuse the suspension of granting of
patents, until the case shOnld be
fairly stated and determined ac-
cording to the genuine construction
of the proprietor's charter" This
was followed by a petition to the
king in council, agreed to by the
house of burgesses of Virginia, in
June, 1870, in which it is set forth,
among other matters Of complaint,
"that the head springs of the
Rappahannock and Potomac are
not vet known to any of your maj
esty's subjects; that much in
convenience had resulted to gran
tees therefrom, and praying the
adoption of such measures as
might lead to its asccrtainment TO
the satisfaction of all interested.
Lord Fairfax, who, by his MARI
age with the only-dauGhter of lord
| Culpcper, had now succeeded to
the proprietorship of the Northern
Neck, feeling it likewise due to his
grantees to have the question re-
lieved from all further difficulty,
preferred his petition to the king
in 1888, praying that his majesty
would be pleased to order a COM
mission to issue, for running ont,
marking, and ascertaining the
bounds of his patent, according to
the true intent and meaning OF his
charter. An order to this effect
was accordingly directed by the
king; and three commissioners
were appointed on behalf of the
crown, and the same number on
behalf of the lord Fairfax. The
dnty which dcvolved upon them
was to ascertain, by actual eXami-
nation and survey, the true foun-
tains Of the Rappahannock and
Potomac rivers. 70 enable them
more perfectly to discharge the i'm
poTtant trust confded to them,
they we're authorised TO summon
persons before them, to take dep
ositions and anidavits, to search
papers, and employ surveyors,
chain-carFiers, markers, and other
necessary attendants. The com
missiopers convened in Fredericks
burg. on the 2Gth Of September
| 1886. and proceeded to discharge
their duties, by taking depositions
appointing surveyors, and making
every needful and requisite prepa
ration for the survey. They com
menced their journey Of observa
ton and survey on the 18th day o
October, 1896, and finished it OF
the 14th of December, OF the sam'
year; on which day they discover
ed what they marked and reported
, to be the first fountain of th'
Potomac river. Separate reports
, wero made by the commissioners
f which reports, with all the &C
, companying documents, papers
surveys, plans, &c, were, on th'
! DIST Of December, 1873, referred t
the council for plantation affairs
, That board, after hearing counsel
3 made a report on the 9th day o
: April, l7iJ, in which they state
l "that having examined into TN
several reports, returns, plans, ant
other papers transmitted 10 then
; by the commissioners appointed Ol
. behalf of the crown, as likewise o
lord Fairfax, and having been at
b, tended by council on behalf o
= your majesty, as likewise of lor'
. Fairfax, and having heard all tha
n they had to offer thereupon; AM
e the question being concerning tha
{ boundary which ought to be draw
s from the first head or spring Of tn
J. river Rappahannock to the frs
# head or spring of the river Pete
# mac, the committee do agree hum
G bly, to report to your majesty a
j. their opinion, that within the word
d and meaning of the letters patent
!, granted by king James IL. bearing
: date the 9th day of September
If in the fourth year Of his reigr
0 the said boundary ought to begin a
!, the first spring of the South branc
y of the rive Rappahannock, an