ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR. 1653

munity as a whole deprived of a beloved and distinguished
citizen; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the
Journals of the Senate and the House of Delegates and that
a copy, suitably engrossed, be sent to the family of the late
Judge Rose in testimony of the sympathy of the General As-
sembly of Maryland in their bereavement.

Approved April 5, 1927.

NO. 20.

A Joint Resolution of the General Assembly of Maryland
authorizing negotiations to establish the common right of
crab fisheries for residents of Maryland and Virginia in
certain waters of Smith's Island.

WHEREAS, Smith's Island, which lies between Tangier Sound
and the Chesapeake Bay, is intersected by the Maryland-Vir-
ginia boundary line, which boundary line was established by a
board of arbiters after the two States had failed to reach an
agreement as to its location, which board, after due considera-
tion, so established said line that the lower or southerly part
of said Island was made a part of the State of Virginia. The
greater part of the population of this Island, numbering some
1500 residents, live within the boundaries of the State of Mary-
land, and,

WHEREAS, At the time of making this award (1877) the soft
crab and its forerunner, the peeler, were not considered as a
commercial possibility, but shortly thereafter the shipping of
soft crabs became practicable, and from that day the creeks
that indent lower Smith's Island became a necessary working
ground for the livelihood of the residents of Smith's Island,
and,

WHEREAS/ The State of Maryland recognized the boundary
line as established by the award, nevertheless, the residents of
Smith's Island were permitted to enjoy the free use of Tyler's
and Shank's Creeks, which indent the lower part of said Island,
and are intersected by said boundary line in such a way that