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

P. R. O.

Colonial
Papers.

to the prejudice of either side but I doe offer as the most equall
way between us to pitch upon the soe long reputed and gen-
erally knowne and received place of thirty seaven degrees odd
minutes which for the space of forty, fifty or sixty yeares has
bin concluded the latitude of the Capes (speaking now of
antiquity & before ever the Lord Baltemore or myselfe were
ever concerned in these parts) and from thence to measure by
line till we arrive to forty which I conceive farr more safe than
to trust to the ignorance of an observator the shakeing of his
hand or a bad instrument.
Lord B. A more certaine observation of the fortieth degree
may be now taken at the head of the Bay than formerly there
was of thirty seaven and halfe where you say the capes lyes
and I apprehend it to be more safe and sure for us both to have
an observacon taken in the proper place with such an Instru-
ment as I have already spoke of and surely M^r Pen you will as
well confide in your friends as I shall on such as I shall appoint
to joyne with them Now for your owne satisfaction the course
you have proposed may be pursued but that which I shall
depend on & be wholy determined by is a due observation to
be taken of the fortieth degree being the northern bounds of
my Pattent.
W. Pen. I doe not object against the Lord Baltemore's
bounds but I say to find that out which I think a case wherein
a man ought to be as cautious as in the choice of a wife well to
consider before hand I propose the most equall way between
us both to take our comencem^t from a certaine generall reputed
taken and received place of latitude of soe many years standing
described by all mapps and by which all masters of shipps and
vessels have been governed and soe from thence proceed dis-
tinctly to measure to forty soe to remaine to posterity in order
to the waveing any future disputes or differences which is all
the favour I request.
Lord B. Since you owne the case to be so tender as truely
I doe I think there will therefore be the greater reason to have
our business determined the best and surest way which I have
already offered tho' for your satisfaction M^r Pen I shall not
refuse the liberty to any person to doe that which you propose
and make report to you that which I am resolved to trust to
and be concluded by is an observation to be taken with an
instrument of six or seaven foote diameter for the sunn will
deceive neither of us.
W. Pen. I acknowledge that as a favour from the Lord
Baltemore but still I moove the most equal way in my opinion
of ascertaining the bounds between us.
Lord B. M^r Pen you did I remember once propose to me
in England that you had offers made you of that part of Dela-