The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-09
BOUNDARY LINE DISPUTE.
Interest in the Subject Revived by
the Late Ohio Indiana
Controversy.
In the Early Days of the Govern
ment These Disputes Were
Frequent.
How They Were Settled-Extracts From a
lLecture by VIM. G. Sprague,
of Detroit.

We hear recently from the newspapers of
a discovery having been made that the
boundary line as now established between
the states Of Ohio and Indiana is not a cor
rect one-that the latter state has within
her accepted territory a portion of the fair
soil of her sister state. Some have asked,
how is this to be remedied? Without at
tempting to answer this question definitely,
I wish to refer to cases arising at the
threshold of our life as q nation, the refer
ence to which may be interesting and in
struotive. In the days of the continental
congress, many were tho disputes that
arose between states as to territory
and boundaries, and between indi-
viduals claiming lands under grants
from different states. Among these
controversies were those between Pennsyl-
vania and Connections; Pennsylvania and
Virginia: New Jersey and Virginia: Massa-
chusetts and New York; South Carolina
and Georgia; New Hampshire, Vermont,
New York and Massachusetts.
The articles Of cor federation provided
that the United States in congress assem-
bled should BIO tho last resort On appeal in
all disputes and differences then subsisting,
or that might arise thereafter, between two
or more states concerning boundary, juris-
diction or any cause whatsoever. A mode
of establishing a court for the trial of these
controversies was specifically prescribed.
This was adopted in 1777. The first contro-
versy arising was that between Pennsylvania
and Connecticut over the fair and fertile
Wyoming-a territory of 5,0oo,0O acres.
Delegates from each state met and fnIied
to agree. Resort was had to arms, and
much blood was shed. Connecticut in
formed congress- of the state OF affairs, and
that body appointed R%outledge, Chase, JEFF
ferson, kinsey and Hopkins II committee.
tion of hostilities and a settlement in a
legal way. Peace once moro reigned.
Alter the articles OF confederation were
finally ratified, investing congress with the
powers above referred to, Pennsylvania
prayed congress for a hearing. Congress-
set a day for u hearing. which was noticed
to both parties, and ut the time designated
the disputauts appeared by their agents.
The states were then directed to appoint by
Joint consent commissioners to constitute II
court.
This was done. The court sat at Tran-
ton. Fifteen days were devoted to arRu-
ments. The court decided for Pennsyl-
ynnia. Thin was the only decision in con
troversies between states under tho ARTICLES
of confederation. The Judgment WAS an
proved by congress-, and 1t WAS acquie6ceu
in by Connecticut.
This did not prevent n war growing out
of adverse claims to the private right of
soil between individuals. and the "Pennn-
mite and Yankee war was the result, but
Pennsylvania confirmed to actual settlers
their lands, md tho district WAS erected
into the county OF Luzarne.
Pennsylvania and Vireinia differed AZ to
the famous ..Mason and Dixon's'' limo. A
commission, composed of clergy in VirRinia