A mode ofestablishing a court for the trial of these
controversies was specifically prescribed. This
was adopted in z 777. The first controversy aris
ing was that between Pennsylvania and Connecti
cut over the fair and fertile 'Wyoming—a territory
of five million acres. Delegates from each State
met and failed to agree. Resort was had to arms,
and much blood was shed. Connecticut inform
ed Congress of the state of affairs, and that body
appointed Rutledge, Chase, Jefferson, Kinsey and
Hopkins a committee. This committee recom•
mended the cessation of hostilities and a settle
ment in a legal way. Peace once more reigned.
After the Articles of Confederation were finally
ratified, investing Congress with the powers above
referred to, Pennsylvania prayed Congress for a
hearing. Congress set a day for a hearing, which
was noticed to both parties, and at the time desig
nated the disputants appeared by their agents.
The States were then directed to appoint, by joint
consent, commissioners to constitute a court.
This was done, The Court sat at Trenton.
Fifteen days were devoted to arguments. The
Court decided for Pennsylvania. This was the
only decision in controversies between States
under the Articles of Confederation. The judg
ment was approved by Congress, and it was ac
quiesced in by Connecticut.
This did not prevent a war growing out of ad
verse claims to the private right of soil between
individuals, and the "Pennamite and Yankee"
war was the result, but Pennsylvania confirmed to
actual settlers their lands, and the district was
erected into the County of Luzerne.
Pennsylvania and Virginia differed as to the
famous "Mason and Dixon's" line. A commis
sion, composed of clergy in Virginia and college
professors in Pennsylvania, finally agreed upon
the line.
New Jersey and Virginia differed as to a tract
called Indiana, in the Northwest Territory. No
commission was appointed, for Virginia presented
to Congress a deed of cession in 1784.
New York claimed the land between the Merri-
TITE FRE
E LANCE.
mac and the Charles, but before the commission
which had been appointed had met, the two con
tending States, New York and Massachusetts, set
tled the dispute between themselves.
South Carolina and Georgia fought for the
upper waters of the Savannah river. The States
failed to agree upon a commission, as directed by
Congress, and that body chose a court for the
purpose, but the States came to an agreement.
New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and
Massachusetts quarrelled over the region lying be
tween Lake Champlain and the Connecticut river,
which resulted in the recognition of "the pretend•
ed State of Vermont" as a State.
Thus much for early controversies. In case of
conflicts now arising, we quote from Article 111,
Sec. 1, of the Constitution : "The judicial power
of the United States shall be vested in one Su
preme Court and in such inferior courts as the
Congress may, from time to time, ordain and
establish," and from Sec. 2 "The judicial power
shall extend to 4 " 1 "I' controversies between
two or more States. 4 " 1 "1'" It is altogether
likely that the States of Ohio and Indiana would
be able to adjust any difference that might arise
from an error in survey or otherwise, and that the
course taken in early controversies would become
unnecessary.
liMy noble boy remember this," she sail,
(lie stooped and kissed tho tears stood in her eyes)
"For glory e'en has coward fought anti Wad,
The bravest only, learn to sacrifice."
He plucked the white rose from his mother's breast,
And fondly made his last adieu,
“The white rose of York, he oiled, shall be my crest I"
"I'll keep it, dear, in memory of you,"
They stormed a town wherein the desperate foe,
Sword to sword opposed, and lire to lire,
"Who takes their traitorous chief'," proclaimed the king,
"Shall have reward unto his last desire.'
They bore the fair young victor to his liege,
"Ask what thou wilt, I'll never say thee no,"
"One boon—your footnan's life"—the boy replied,
And softly "My mother would have had it so,"
W. C. SPRAQUE, ESQ.
40.••••-
VICTORY.