| limits of Virginia, and over the rivers Patowmack and Pocomoke; and that the said
commissioners, or any two of them, have full power, in behalf of this state, to adjust and settle
the jurisdiction to be exercised by the said states respectively. over the said waters and the
navigation of the same . . . ."83 Maryland proposed that the meeting take place on March 21,
1785, at Alexandria, Virginia."
Thomas Stone wrote to Washington on January 28, 1785, stating his expectation that the
upcoming conference would be successful, following as it did on the heels of the Potomac
Company legislation:
It gives me much pleasure to know that our act [of Maryland] for
opening the navigation of Potomack arrived in time to be adopted
by the Assembly of Virginia. If the scheme is properly executed I
have the most sanguine expectation that it will fully succeed to the
wishes of those who are anxious to promote the wellfare [sic] of
these States and to form a strong chain of connection between the
western and Atlantic [state] governments. Mr. Jenifer, Johnson,
Chase and myself are appointed commissioners to settle the
jurisdiction and navigation of the bay and rivers Potomack and
Pocomoke with the commissioners of Virginia. We have also
instructions to make application to Pennsylvania for leave to clear
a road from Potomack to the western waters. Our Assemblv
proposes the meeting of the commissioners to be on the 215` of
March at Alexandria if agreeable to the commissioners of Virginia.
I have no doubt but the subjects of our mission will be settled to
mutual satisfaction.85
83 1784-85 Md. Acts. Resolution 12.
8' Id.
85 John M. Wearmouth, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, Historic Resource Study
47-48 (1988) (alterations in original). Stone further expressed his desire to visit General
Washington at Mt. Vernon on the occasion of this conference. Id. at 48.
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