384 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681-85.

P. R. O.
Colonial
Papers.

the King's leisure for a further interpretation of his grant
to me.
Lord B. It was never my intentions nor indeed in my
thoughts to deprive M^r Pen of anything that might conduce to
his benefit soe as the same may not tend greatly to my preju-
dice and what M^r Pen means by a comencement from Watkins
Point I understand not but sure I am that had his Pattent
given him his comencement anywhere to the southward of the
fortieth degree of northern latitude he had deprived me of soe
much of my right which yet I beleeve M^r Pen never desired
nor coveted But M^r Pen you seem a little unkind in having
proposed any deniall of mine to what you offered and for any
kindness you may reasonably expect from me I think it not soe
well timed let but the line be first layd out thereby to ascer-
taine to each of us his propper and just bounds and then lett
it be seen whether I shall deny M^r Pen any neighborly kind-
ness within my power.
W^m Pen. The King it's true did command the laying out
the line between us but if for a more ready way of accomodacon
to us both he hath thought fitt to make other proposalls I can-
not tell why they may not be taken into consideracon but I

shall concede and wave that letter wholly makeing this further
offer The Capes for several years have bin reputed to lye in
the latitude of thirty seaven or between thirty seaven degrees
and five minutes or thereabouts and hath bin soe generally
taken and approved on by all persons for some considerable
space of years and by which calculation all ships and Vessels
have proceeded on their Voyages before such time as either
intrest or prejudice could sway them on the one side or the
other soe then if the Lord Baltemore please to take his comence-
ment from the Capes which has bin generally and of soe long
continuance reputed to lye in thirty seaven degrees and five
minutes and from thence measure by line two degrees fifty
five minutes will just reach to the fortieth degree.
Lord B. My Pattent gives me the fortieth degree of
northern latitude for my northern bounds and there is noe way
soe certaine to find that as by an observacon to be taken by a
sextant of six or seaven foote radies and such an Instrument
you have belonging to Colonel Lewis Morris of New York
besides your comencement by your Pattent is given at the
fortieth degree of northern latitude.
W^m Pen. Then I shall only say we will wave and wholy lay
aside the King's letter at this time if the Lord Baltemore will
begin at thirty seaven and a halfe insted of thirty eight he will
then indeed have more than was designed for him I therefore
offer as a medium between us the more easily to accommodate
this matter let the Lord Baltemore first begin at the antient