this state," (American Archives, Fifth Series, vol. 3, p. 133), "Ordered, That the same be read, and the same was read, as follows, to wit:" The twenty-first section of the Virginia constitution, as above quoted, was then read, and the convention resolved to consider the matter on the next day, October 3oth. The consideration was resumed at the time appointed, whereupon a series of three resolutions was adopted. These resolutions make no acknowledgment of the effort of Virginia to terminate the old colonial disputes by the cession of her charter claims, but seem rather to resent it. The first resolution is in the following words: (Ibid., p. 134.)
"Resolved, unanimously, That it is the opinion of this convention that the State of Virginia hath not any right or title to any of the territory, bays, rivers, or waters included in the charter granted by His Majesty Charles the First to Caecilius Calvert, Baron of Baltimore." (Am. Arch., Fifth Series, vol. 3, pp. 133, 134.)
The second resolution is devoted to boundary claims, asserting "sole and exclusive jurisdiction over the said river Potowmack," etc. The third resolution is the one which demands our attention. It is as follows:
"Resolved, unanimously, That it is the opinion of this convention that the very extensive claim of the State of Virginia to the back lands hath no foundation in justice, and that if the same or any like claim is admitted, the freedom of the smaller States and the liberties of America may be thereby greatly endangered; this convention being firmly persuaded that, if the dominion over those lands should be established by the blood and treasure of the United States, such lands ought to be considered as a common stock, to be parceled out at proper times into convenient, free and independent governments. "[1]
This resolution marks the beginning of the contro-
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- ↑ Mr. Herbert B. Adams, in "Maryland s Influence Upon Land Cessions," does not mention this resolution of Maryland, but treats her movement as beginning with the motion made in Congress October 15, 1777, nearly one year later.
