Whealton, Maryland & Virginia Boundary Controversy, 1904,
msa_sc_5330_9_42
, Image No.: 49
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Whealton, Maryland & Virginia Boundary Controversy, 1904,
msa_sc_5330_9_42
, Image No.: 49
   Enlarge and print image (46K)          << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
47 biy in i87q., and at the request of the Governor in 1875, the Assembly defined the meaning of the above clause to be: (i) "To confer upon citizens of Maryland the privi- lege of taking oysters in the Potomac and Pocomoke Rivers and not in Pocomoke Bay or Sound. (2) That in insisting and declaring that the true line between this State and the State of Maryland, east of the Chesapeake Bay, is the line known as the Calvert and Scarburgh line and that a part of the County of Somerset claimed by the State of Maryland is south of that line and of right part of the territory of Virginia; yet in a spirit of comity and good will to a sister State, be it further enacted that the privilege of taking oysters in Pocomoke Bay shall be enjoyed by citizens of Maryland in common with the citi- zens of Virginia, north of a right line running from Cedar Straits to the intersection of the Calvert-Scarburgh line with the Pocomoke River." This privilege was to be withdrawn at the pleasure of the Virginia Assembly." This act makes the very important distinction between Pocomoke River and Pocomoke Sound and defines clearly the rights of Maryland as recognized by Virginia. In 1882 an act was passed by the General Assembly of Virginia stating that "uncertainty still exists as to what is the real boundary line between the states of Mary- land and Virginia along the Potomac River, by reason of the failure of the arbitrators, . . . to define and limit the meaning of the term `headland' as used in the said award, or to locate such headlands upon the plat filed; in consequence whereof the jurisdiction of said states is still in doubt, and litigation and conflict is con- stantly arising on said waters." 98 A joint committee composed of members of the Virginia Assembly and the Maryland Legislature met and drew up resolutions which Virginia accepted. Maryland, however, dissented from these resolutions and Virginia., in x884, repealed "Acts of Virginia Assembly," 1875, ch. 48. 96 " Acts of Virginia Assembly," 1882, ch. 6.