The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-01-29
of Maryland and West Virginia.

the present time various means
have been resorted to by the State
of Maryland to have the contro-
versy- with the State of West Vir-
ginia settled in an amicable and
equitable manner, hut all efforts in
that regard have signally failed,
and the State of Maryland is COM
PEELED to assert her just and legal
rights under the terms Of the char
ter aforesaid.
1t is further presented unto your
Honors that the territory covered
by the charter aforesaid on the
western limits of the State of Mary
land has been in part covered by
grants from the States of Virginia
and West Virginia; that West Vir-
ginia has assumed jurisdiction over
some Of the citizens of Maryland,
holding land under grants from
this State; that many conflicts have
arisen between the citizens Of the
two States over claims arising out
of grants Of the same lands by the
respective States. The State Of
Maryland alleges that the State Of
West Virginia 10 wrongfully, un-
lawfully and unconstitutionally in
possession Of and exercising sover-
eign jurisdiction and control over
large portion of territory, under
the constitution and laws Of
Maryland, the constitution and
laws of West Virginia, and under
the constitution and laws of the
United States, Of right belonging
to and is part Of the territory Of
Maryland, and over which Mary.
land should rightfully exercise SOW
ereign jurisdiction and control.
The State Of Maryland alleges that
the true line Of her western boun-
dairy is a meridian line running
south to the first or most distant
fountain Of the Potomac, and that
such line is several miles south and
west Of the line which the State of
West Virginia claims, and to which
the said State is attempting to ex-
ercise territorial jurisdiction, and
that the State of West Virginia is
in possession Of and unlawfully ex-
ercising sovereign jurisdiction, au-
thority and control over Q strip of
land several miles wide aud within
the territorial jurisdiction of the
State Of Maryland.
It 10 further represented unto
your Honors, that the line referred
to in the charter ~ the western
boundary Of Maryland should be
truly established, 90 that the true
limit Of the rightful jurisdiction of
either State should be distinctly
determined.
Wherefore, being without remedy
on the law side Of this Court, the
State Of Maryland prays that the
State Of West Virginia be made
party defendant to this bill, and
that subpoena be issued and served
upon the proper officers Of the said
State, and that it be required to
answer the allegations hereof. And
that your honors, by proper orders
and DEGREES, establish the true
boundary line between the State of
Maryland and the State of West
Virginia, at a meridian line running
South from the 40th parallel Of
North latitude to the first or most
distant fountain of the Potomac, in
conformity with the ancient char
tered rights of this State and the
laws creating the State of West Vir-
ginia and admitting it into the Un-
ion; that the rights jurisdiction
and sovereignty of the State of
Maryland to all the land and terri
tory, with all its appurtenances,
now held and controlled by the
State of West Virginia, lying within
the line of the Western boundary
of the State of Maryland, by proper
order and decree of this Honora-
BILE Court, be restored and con-
firmed to the State of MARYLAND be
quoted in the full and free enjoy
ment of its jurisdiction and sover-
eighty over the same, and that the
title, jurisdiction and sovereignty
of the State Of Maryland over the
said territory be confirmed and es-
tablished by the decree of the
Court; that your Hono-s grant the
State of Maryland such other
further and general relief in the
premises as the facts alleged require
at the hands of the Court, and
may seem meet and consistent with
equity and good conscience. May
the subpoena issue, etc.
The State Of Maryland, by
WV. PINKNEY WHYTE,
Its Acknowledgement.