Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-11-26
VOL. XVIII.
Mississippi State News
Pointing Out the Boundary.


Secretary of State Power has
written letter TO Avon Haake, to
pographer of the postoffice depart
ment at Washington, giving him the
southern boundary line of the State
of Mississippi as claimed by the
State in the boundary dispute now
pending in the United States Su-
preme Court between the States of
Mississippi and Louisiana. The let
ter of Mr.. Haake to Secretary of
State Power, on its face, has moth
ing to do with the boundary dispute,
Mr.. Haake giving as his reason for
asking the correct boundary that he
desires to correctly represent Mis-
sissippi in the new postal route map
of the State now being prepared.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Power, thinking
that his reply might in some way af-
feet the boundary question, has very
carefully investigated the matter
and prepared his reply after con-
sultation with Attorney General
Williams, who, with ex-Attorney-
General Monroe McClurg, are rep
resenting the State of Mississippi
in the United States Court in the
boundary dispute.
This boundary question is one of
very vital Importance to the people
of the Mississippi coast adjacent to
the disputed waters, as it involves
some of the finest oyster beds on the
coast line. For years there has been
a conflict between the fishermen of
the respective States and a contest
over the disputed line, Efforts to
get at a satisfactory solution by a
commission have failed, and Louis
lana filed bill in the United States
Court to have the line finally adiu-
dicated and determined.
The boundary case will probably
take about two years to decide. Af-
ter the two States have set forth
clearly their respective contentious,
the court will appoint boundary
commission te take testimony and
report to the court, when final ad-
judication will be made.
Mr.. Powers letter to Mr.. Haake
follows:
Sir:-Replying to your inquiry of
October 19, asking for information as
to the southern boundary of the State
of Mississippi, especially with refer
ence to the Petit Bois island and the
Louisiana shore, beg to say that by
the act of congress Of December 10,
1917, admitting the State into the
Union. the southern boundary extends
from the most eastern mouth of Pearl
TisSl into Lake Borgne to the Ala.
bama line, ten miles east of the mouth
of the Pascagoula river, and includes
all islands within six leagues of the
shore; or, the water line is six leagues
OFF the shore line at every point be-
tween the rivers above mentioned.
The true line between Mississippi
and Louisiana, We think, Is at the high
tide mark on the eastern shore of Lou
isiana, the Mississippi sound" begin.
ming there and extending eastward
the water frontage given the Gulf
Coast States being to the Southwark,
or seaward, from each State respec-
lively.
| have indicated the six-league wa.
ter limit from the Mississippi shore
and the Louisiana shore by pen line on
the map as represented, not attempting
TO follow any scale or to be accurate in
measurements, but just to suggest
about where it is.
Trusting that this may be of some
service to you, have the honor to be,
Very respectfully yours,
JOSEPH w. POWER,
Secretary of State