The Penn's Grove record., 1901-03-01
MUST PROVE HER CLAIM.
To The Eastern Channel of The
Delaware.

country" and further said, "This quei
ton may be shortly settled by the t.. 5
Supreme Court, or rather more correct.
the highest court must soon settle tn
boundary dispute between Delaware ant
New Jersey
For 80 years or more Delaware has lalC
claim to full jurisdiction over the Della
ware river to the New Jersey shore, with
in the 12-mile circle from New Castle
court house. In 1871 Delaware passed
law requiring nonresident fishermen tC
pay $50 for a license to fish in the Della
ware river. In April and May 1877
Delaware officers arrested at the point Of
~revolvers 81 fishermen OF PENIS Grove
and Pennsyille for not paying the license
fee, and took their boats and nets to Viii
mington.
On MAY Sth, 1872, Joel Parker Govern
or issued a proclamation claiming, the
River east of the middle and warning
Delaware officials from arresting Jersey
fishermen.
During the winter of 1873 both States
by Joint resolutions appointed commits
sioners TO settle the dispute. Cortlandt
Parker. Abraham Browning and Albert
II. Shape were appointed by New Jersey,
and Jos. P. Comegys. VIM. G. Whitley
and Edward L. Martin were appointed
for Delaware. Before they came to an
agreement.the Delaware Legislature with
drew their commissioners in 1875.
In the spring OF 1876 Delaware authori-
ties again put forth their right to exact a
license fee Of $50 from New jersey fisher
men. The Legislature then authorized a
suit in equity in the Us. Supreme Court.
An injunction was procured against Della
ware in March 1877 and New Jerseys
claim and complaint was set forth calling
upon Delaware to answer and prove her
claim Of jurisdiction over the eastern half
OF the river.
Nothing was done until 1892 when the
counsel Of both States agreed TO let the
case and injunction rest until either side
gave 60 DAYS notice to proceed with the
case.
After due notice Samuel II. Grey re
yived the case in OctoberlS97 and asked
that. in case it was not settled it should
be taken off the docket, at the next term
or Delaware should prove her claim
The New Castle News says; The pre-
sent status OF the case requires Delaware
to file an answer to the specifications Of
New JERSEYS counsel, and Governor
Hunn's message accompanying Attorney
General Wards review OF the case re
commended that the Legislature take &C
ton in~structing the Encouragement to
prosecute the case and take the necessary
legal steps,
Representative Robertson introduced
a bill this last week appropriatingE hat
ever sum should be necessary TO detray
the expenses that may be incurred by
the legal authorities Of Delaware inpnse-
cutting the litigation in the Supreme Court
Governor Hum in his message touching
on the boundary dispute says:
Il have received and herewith trans
nit for information a communication
from the a1tarneygeneral relating 10 the
suit now pending in the supreme Court
OF the United States, between the states
/ Of New Jersey and Delaware. 1t l. IN
necessary for me to enlarge upon the i'm
portance Of this report. The unanimity
( with which the people OF this state
through the various General Assemblies
and executives. have always defended
J the integrity oil 1.-THE jurisdiction, territory
and sovereignty OF this state in this con
controversy, constitutes a just guide tol
present action.
~ cannot bring myself to believe that
the present generation Of Delawarean'
will, properly advised on the subject.
find themselves less sensitive and earnest
when maintaining the rights Of the STATE
than the generations which have preced
ed Us. II would seem that Il Inc con
troversy is ever to be settled finally, i
could not be placed in a position Of great
- a. % ou,Lrooa H. ,.r.
I'll ""' "nt"s' 'iai' - N"0
opportunity to have 1t forever set at res
by the decision OF hat tribunal which
under the Federal Constitution is com
- - Lotnaaa -
peteiiV 10 slO III Judgment De'"eeH so'ei
elgn states.