| 1
Thomas Stone and Samuel Chase," two of the Maryland commissioners who had been appointed
in 1777 (and would be appointed again shortly) to negotiate with Virginia over the jurisdiction of
the Potomac and Pocomoke Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. The group prepared a "conference
report" which stated, in relevant part:
That it is the opinion of this conference, that the removing the
obstructions in the river Potomac, and the making the same capable
of navigation from tide water, as far up the north branch of the said
river as may be convenient and practicable will increase the
commerce of the Commonwealth of Virginia and State of
Maryland, and greatly promote the political interests of the United
States, by forming a free and easy communication and connexion
with the people settled on the western waters, already very
considerable in their numbers, and rapidly increasing from the
mildness of the climate and the fertility of the soil.
That it is the opinion of the conference, that the proposal to
establish a company for opening the river Potomac, merits the
approbation of and deserves to be patronized by Virginia and
Maryland. and that a similar law ought to be passed by the
legislature of the two governments, to promote and encourage so
laudable an undertaking.
The Maryland General Assembly promptly enacted a law providing for the creation of the
Potomac Company. "to be of no effect, unless an act shall be passed by the legislature of
Virginia upon similar principles."66 Maryland pledged to subscribe fifty shares in the Company
if Virginia agreed to do so."
6' Id.
6' Id. at 74. The conference also suggested that Virginia's earlier 177? law "`for opening
and extendin- the navigation of the river Potomac from Fort Cumberland to tide water,' ought to
be repealed." Id. See supra note 3 8.
66 1784-85 Md. Acts c. XXXIII, § XXI.
6'' Id. § XX.
19
|
