1852.

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 275.

ly defined, and her boundaries permanently established ;
And whereas , the true location of the Western line of
Maryland, between the States of Maryland and Virginia,
beginning at or near the Fairfax stone, on the north branch

of the Potomac river, at or near its source, and running in
a due north line to the State line of Pennsylvania, is now
lost and unknown, and all the marks have been de-
stroyed by time or otherwise; And whereas, the States

of Virginia and Maryland have both granted patents to
the same tracts of land, at or near the supposed line,
and as suits of ejectment are now pending in the Cir-
cuit Court for Allegany county, in the State of Mary-
land, by persons holding under Maryland patents against
persons now in possession and holding land under pa-
tents granted by the State of Virginia, which cannot
be justly settled without establishing said boundary
line; Therefore,

Governor to
appoint com-
missioner.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assem-
bly of Maryland, That the Governor, be, and he is
requested to open a correspondence with the Gov-
ernor of Virginia, in relation to tracing, establishing
and marking the said line; and in case the Legislature

of Virginia shall pass an act providing for the appoint-
ment of a commissioner to act in conjunction with a
commissioner on the part of Maryland, in the premi-
ses, then, and in such case the Governor be, and he is
hereby authorised and required to appoint a commis-
sioner, who, together with the commissioner who shall
be appointed on the part of Virginia, shall cause the said
line to be accurately surveyed, traced and marked with
suitable monuments, beginning therefor at the said
Fairfax's stone, and running thence due north to the
line of the State of Pennsylvania.

Duty of com-
missioners.

SEC. 2. And be it enabled, That it shall be the
joint duty of the commissioners, after running, locat-
ing, establishing and marking the said line, to make a
report, setting forth all the facts touching the locating
and marking said line; and it shall be the duty of the
commissioners of each respective State, to forward co-
pies of the joint report to each of their respective Le-
gislatures; and upon the ratification of such report by
the State of Virginia and the State of Maryland,
through their respective Legislatures, the said boundary
lines shall be fixed and established so to remain forever,
unless changed by mutual consent of the said States.