1834. RESOLUTIONS.

ve thought it might be conducive to that desirable end;
and not inconsistent with the duties assigned them, to notice
some of the views expressed in the late Message of his
excellency Governor Tazewell, to the Legislature of Vir-
ginia, in reference to this subject; this document is not
officially before us, but it has been given to the world
through the press, and emanating from so high a source, and
emanating from so high a source, and treating of the very
subject your committee are charged to enquire into, with
apparent and indeed express regret that circumstances
exist, which, in the judgment of his Excellency, preclude
Virginia horn a direct communication of her views to Mary-
land. Your committee think they might be deemed wanting
in their duty, if not in that respect, of which Virginia and her
functionaries are ever worthy, were they to pass it over in
silence. In that document it is declared that the law of
Virginia "to settle the western limits of that State, and the
dividing boundary line between that State and the common-
wealth of Maryland," passed 5th March, 1833, was intend-
ed as an acceptance of our "own proposition in the amica-
ble settlement" of the questions existing between us. That
the determination of Maryland to seek a decision of her
rights by the judicial authority of the Union, was probably
occasioned by "a misapprehension of the terms" of that en-
actment of Virginia, which was susceptible of satisfactory
explanation, how only withheld, and with regret, because the
attitude of Maryland is regarded as hostile or menacing.

Your committee have been unable to discover any thing
in the proceedings of Maryland, which could suggest the
idea of menace, nor does it seem to be at all applicable td
the intimate relations existing between the members of this
confederacy; certainly nothing could be more foreign to the
intentions of Maryland, than to assume such an attitude in
relation to Virginia, one of her earliest and most glorious
allies, not nearer geographically than in consanguinity and
affection. Her great strength we know with joy, not envj;
and in her glory we have always felt the keen interest of
participation.

Maryland had never a hostile feeling towards Virginia;
cannot wish to do her violence or wrong, but on the contra-
ry, desires the removal of the only source of disagreement,
in order, that if possible their union may be more intimate,
and established forever on the best and surest foundations.
The southern and western boundaries of Maryland have
never been adjusted and defined, by compact with Virginia.