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Three years later Lord Fairfax petitioner) the King to
have the bounds of his grant determined. Six commis-
sioners were appointed, three representing the King, and
three on behalf of Fairfax. In 1736, the survey was
completed and reports were made to the effect that "the
said boundary ought to begin at the first Spring of the
South Branch of the River Rappahannock, and that the
said boundary be thence drawn in a straight line north-
west to the place in the Allegheny Mountains where that
part of the Potomac River which is now called Cohongo-
raota first rises."s2 This report was confirmed by the
King, and commissioners were appointed who, in 1746,
marked the line and planted the stone known as the
"Fairfax Stone," on the upper or north branch of the
Potomac.
Charles, Lord Baltimore, was not represented and had
no part in the work of this commission. His son Fred-
erick, however, wrote to Governor Sharps of Maryland
in 1753, claiming to the further bank of the Potomac, and
insisting- upon its south branch as its first source. The
Governor was directed to look into the matter, to corre-
spond with Fairfax as to a proper settlement, and per-
sons who should "venture to settle in such disputed
boundary between Maryland and Virginia," s$ were
warned.
Pursuant to these instructions, the Maryland Council
began -an inquiry concerning the lands in question and
the sources of the river. Prom Governor Sharpe's corre-
spondence, it appears that Cal. Thomas Cresap, a settler
who lived near the territory of Lord Fairfax an the upper
Potomac, was summoned and questioned concerning the
country .34 Cresap gave his opinion that the south was
32 ~,History of the Valley," Samuel Kercheval, p. 221, contain-
ing " Faulkner's Report."
s", Report of the Committee on the Western Boundary of Mary-
land, c889," Wm. Hand Browns and Albert Ritchie, Appendix
B. R 34-35•
' " Archives of Maryland," Correspondence of Governor Sharps,
vol. z, pp. T-?•
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