1876.] OF THE SENATE. 53

Mr. Aydelotte submitted the following correspondence be-
tween His Excellency, Gov. Groome and Hons. Isaac D. Jones
and Wm. Pimkney Whyte, on the subject of our State Bound-
ary Line.

BALTIMORE, June 8th, 1875.
His Excellency, the Governor:

DEAB SIR:—We beg to thank you for the tender of employ-
ment to us, as the counsel to represent this State before the
arbitrators, to whom the settlement of the boundary line be-
tween the States of Maryland and Virginia, has been sub-
mitted by these States.

Upon an examination of the laws passed upon that subject,
and the many other documents relating to it, and consider-
ing the enlarged demand, made by Virginia, it is apparent,
that the work to be performed by the Attorneys, will be very
great, not only before the referees, but in preparation of the
proper papers for the presentation of the case, and in the
search for maps and other evidences of the title in the prem-
ises. While the Act of 1874, chapter 295, gives the Gov-
ernor power to engage the services of counsel; it leaves the
compensation to be provided for by a future law. This puts
the matter of compensation in the same position as did the
resolution of 1870, in relation to the employment of counsel
in the cases against the B. & O. R. R. Co., under which
Governor Bowie contracted with Messrs. Steele and others
for seven thousand dollars to each Attorney, which contract
was ratified by the Legislature of 1872, and the money paid
to them.

As we are unwilling to take charge of so important a pro-
fessional matter without some positive official understanding
as to fees, we beg to inquire, whether you will be willing to
agree upon the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) to each
of us as a full compensation, and recommend to the Legisla-
ture the payment of that sum, as a reasonable amount for
the services, loss of time and expenses incurred by us, in the
discharge of this professional duty.

As this is a matter of business, you will pardon our preci-
sion, but we would not take a less sum for the contemplated
service from a private party, neither are we willing to sub-
ject ourselves to the humiliation of standing at the Legisla-
tive doors, chaffering for a fee. Renewing our grateful ac-
knowledgments of your consideration.
We remain, very truly,

Tour obedient servants,
ISAAC D. JONES,

WM. PINKNBT wayfE.