New-York tribune., 1889-12-21
DETERMINING BOUNDARIES.
THE LINES UNDER WATER MARKED OUT.
DIFFICULT WORK ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE

DIFFICULT WORK ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE
STATES OF NEw.YoRK AND NEw-JERsEY.
The Joint Boundary Commission, appointed in 1887
to determine and mark out the boundary line lands
under water in Raritan Bay, between New-York and
New-Jersey, has completed its work. Since it,
creation the jurisdiction Of the commission has been
increased until IL the entire boundary Of the
two states in lands under water, from the Romer
beacon in Raritan Bay 10 Hastings and PlcrmOnt on
the Hudson River.
The entire line has been determined and a large
part already. monumented" and marked. The line in
New-Yorl Bay and the Hudson River will be marked
during the carly spring. The boundary between the
two states was originally determined In 1859 by
royal commission, but the description given of the
llpc was so confusing and indefinite that disputes
arose continually, and a commission was appointed
in 1884 to settle the matter deH5fitely.
This commission decided that the boundary line
should be the middle OF the Hudson River and Bay
of NewYork to the main sea. This, though not much
more definite than the first determined, seemed to
prove satisfactory for some time but the growing
value Of the shores OF the Hudson River New York
Bay and the XIII Ku drew the attention Of those
interested to the necessity of settlement to tho
boundary lines through this territory.
Ten years ago attempt was made by the people
OF the State of New-York to prevent the NewJersey
Central Railroad Company from filing and occupy
ing grant OF land under water at Communipaw, made
by the Riparian Commission OF New-Jersey. Action
begun in the courts and carried TO the Court OF
Appeals, which decided in favor OF the railroad COM
pany that by the terms middle of the waters" was
meant the centre Of the channel.
In 1855 a renewal OF hootillties In Raritan Bay
caused the Legislature Of New-Jersey to pass bill
creating a commission and requesting similar action
on the part of the State Of NewYork. In 1887 New
York responded and NJ. W. Iazetne, Robert Moore
and Lieutenant G. C. IIanus Y. S. N, wecc appointed
commissioners. They began their work at once. di-
vdlng RaIitan Bay by series OF straight lines, based
upon compromises to the commercial interests Of both
states.
This work was finished In 1857, but the monument
marking the turning point in the line was not built
until this year. This monument, spindle thirty
five feet above low water, is solid and perma-
nent structure and will last for hundreds Of years 1t
is on shoal in Tartan Bay, three-fourth OF a
mile from Great Beds lighthouse, and cost $4,000.
In 1888 the jurisdiction Of both commissions was
extended, and in 1880 New -York's jurisdiction was
coequa with that Of New.Jersey to include tne
Hudson River. This line has now been finally agreed
upon, and will be marked in the spring.
Great difficulty experienced In agreeing upon
the line in New York Bay Popular belief has always
had it that edlows and Gibbet ISLANDS belonged 10
Eew-York New-YOrk has, indeed, jurisdiction over
them for certain purposes but the title 70 them was
always In New-Jersey. The Commissioners from New,
Appeals that the centre of the channel was intended
by the treaty Of 1884 they must agree upon lne
that would throw Bedlows and the other isIands ana
The line In the Arthur XIII and XIII Won kul mas
been already monumental Tile WORK OF the COM
mission will be completed next year as , Ic lG IL %
reat extent merely technicalthe preparation OF data
and the marking OF the lire with monuments