1874.] OF THE SENATE. 839

view of the nearness of the close of the Session, and the con-
stant engagements of the Members of the Senate, I most
respectfully submit to you the project of a law, modelled
after that of Virginia, which, in my opinion, will effect the
the purpose of bringing about the desired amicable settle-
ment of our boundary line with the State of Virginia. I
would also suggest that provisions be made by the General
Assembly, authorizing the employment of counsel on the part
of Maryland, to represent her before the joint arbitration, and
for defraying Maryland's proportion of the necessary ex-
penses incident on these proceedings.

Leaving to future legislation the question of compensation
to be paid to the counsel for the State and the arbitrators, I
am sure you will give the matter that consideration it so well
merits.

JAMES BLACK GROOME.

An Act to designate the arbitrators to ascertain and fix
the boundary between the States of Maryland and Virginia,
approved, March 28th, 1874.

WHEREAS, A controversy exists as to the true line of
boundary between the States of Maryland and Virginia,
and—

Whereas., The State of Maryland, by resolutions of its
General Assembly, now in Session, has declared its willing-
ness to submit the said controversy to arbitration, and to ac-
cept as final and conclusive, such award as may be made in
the premises ; therefore—

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia, That
the settlement and determination of the true line of boundary
between the States of Maryland and Virginia, be referred to
the Honorable Jeremiah S. Black, of Pennsylvania, and the
Honorable William A. Graham, of North Carolina, and a
third person to be selected by them, who are hereby requested
to act as arbitrators, and to ascertain and determine the true
line of boundary between the said States of Virginia and
Maryland, and to make and deliver their award in writing,
any two of them concurring therein. Each State shall have
the right to be represented by counsel before said arbitrators,
subject to such regulations as they may prescribe ; and the
State of Virginia hereby pledges its faith to accept and abide
bv the award of said arbitrators in the premises as final and
conclusive ; provided however, that neither of the said States,
nor the citizens thereof, shall by the decision of the said ar-
bitrators, be deprived of any of the rights and privileges,
enumerated and set forth in the compact between them en-
tered into in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-five, but,
that the same shall remain to and be enjoyed by the said
States, and the citizens thereof forever.