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the longer branch of the Potomac, and extended some
sixty miles farther to the northwest. Then a proposal to
settle the dispute was made to card Fairfax, who replied
that the question was one for the governors to decide,
adding that it would probably be to his advantage to have
the south rather than the north branch. He very likely
thought an extension westward would overbalance what
he would lose by surrendering his claim northward. Col.
Cresap surveyed the head waters of the Potomac and, in
i75q., sent to Governor Sharpe a "plan and certificate con-
cerning the north branch or Potowmack and the tempo-
rary line as run by him." $6 These preparations for
maintaining the claims of Maryland were discontinued
by the outbreak of the French and Indian War.
In a letter to Lord Baltimore, in 1756, Governor Sharpe
said, "I do not in the least doubt, both from what I have
myself seen and heard, that the South Branch ought to
have been deemed the Spring Head and Boundary of
Maryland, though the commissioners appointed by the
Crown to examine it determined otherwise. The Virgin-
ians will mast certainly oppose any alteration or resettle-
ment. Lord Fairfax is indifferent, and no survey can at
this time be safely made within eighty miles of the South
Branch by less than a body of zoo or zoo men." 3e
For awhile all proceedings lay dormant, and concern
for the common safety allayed all minor disputes. The
war, however, was of sham duration, and its close should
have given an opportunity for a final adjustment of the
boundaries, but this was prevented by two orders prohib-
iting grants of land. First the King issued a proclama-
tion that no land lying west of the headwaters of rivers'
flowing into the Atlantic should be granted. This order
was in consequence of an agreement made with the
Indians, and the necessity of adjusting the colonial
boundaries. Second, Lord Baltimore stopped the grant-
,
$ Ibid., p. 93 and map.
NIbrd, p. 4iz.
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