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Maryland contingent in the Revolution. Section XV of
this act declares: "That the line to which the said Francis
Deakins has laid out the said lots, is, in the opinion of
the general assembly, far within that which this state may
rightfully claim as its western boundary; and that at a
time of more leisure, the consideration of the legislature
ought to be drawn to the western boundaries of this state
as subjects of very great importance."'$
The "time of more leisure" soon presented itself and,
in 1795, Maryland began negotiations with Virginia,.
The General Assembly of that year appointed Messrs.
Pinkney, Cooke and Key to meet a similar commission
representing Virginia, to settle, by mutual agreement, the
southern and western limits, and adjust the conflicting
claims of the two states:'a
Virginia replied to this by appointing Thomas Jeffer-
son, John Marshall, Edward Randolph, Robert Brooke,
Ludwell Lee, Bushrod Washington and John Taylor, to
correspond with the Maryland commissioners, and prom-
ised that every exertion would be used to settle the dis-
pute in a friendly manner." Messrs. Pinckney and
Cooke were unable to serve, and their vacancies were
filled by Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, and J. T. Chase.
These also refused to accept the position, and Mr. Key
having become a resident of another state, the commission
no -longer existed. This experience was profitable, how-
ever, for in i8oi the Maryland Assembly vested the
power to appoint commissions in the governor and coun-
cil, and, as a result, new appointments were made.ss It
seems that this newly constituted -commission never held
a meeting.
Same correspondence took place between Governor
Monroe of Virginia and Governor Mercer of Maryland.
42" Laws of Maryland," Wm. Kitty, 1788, ch. elq..
~`Laws of Maryland," 1831, Resolution x28.
'4" Virginia Statutes,„ Samuel Sheppard, voL 2, p. 69.
'° `• Laws of Maryland," 183x, Resolution. xs6, x28.
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