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Report of the Committee on Public Education relative to the Geological Survey and Natural History of the State.-Assem. Doc. 79, 1879.

Communication from the Regents of the University in relation to the State Museum of Natural History.-Assem. Doc. 39, 1881.

Memorial of James Hall, State Geologist, to the Legislature of the State of New York.-Senate Doc. 80, 1882.

Report of the Committee on Public Printing relative to continuing the publication of the work on the Palæontology of the State.Senate Doc. 88, 1882.

Resolution of the New York Academy of Sciences. (Approving the labors of Prof. James Hall.)—Assem. Doc. 12, 1882.

Communication from the Trustees of the State Museum of Natural History, in response to a concurrent resolution passed January 19, 1883. (Measures needed for maintaining and conducting the Museum.)-Senate Doc. 20, 1883.

Report of the Trustees of the State Museum of Natural History. -Senate Doc. 53, 1883.

CHAPTER XXX.

VERIFICATION AND MARKING OF STATE BOUNDARY LINES. The boundary lines between New York and the neighboring States were, for the most part, settled and marked by commissioners appointed on the part of the States concerned, and boundary monuments were erected in the early years of the State government. But from lapse of time some of these monuments had fallen into decay; others had disappeared entirely, and uncertainties had arisen upon questions relating to the true meaning of descriptions in certain natural landmarks, which has led to uncertainties that ought not to continue. The Regents of the University in the discharge of duties assigned to them by the Legislature, in the determination of the exact longitude of certain points in the State, as elsewhere notices, submitted on the 10th of April, 1866, a report on the longitude of the Western Boundary of the State adjacent to that of Pennsl vania, in which it was mentioned that an historical sketch of that line was in course of preparation, and was intended to be furnished

1 Assembly Doc. 191, 1866.

as an appendix to the report. No authentic record of this line had been found in the office of the Secretary of State, or elsewhere. In view of these facts, and to clear up any uncertainties that might exist concerning this and other boundary lines, the Regents suggested the propriety of authorizing them to report to the Legislature at a future day such information concerning the several boundaries of the State as they might be able to procure from the State archives and otherwise, with the view of stimulating and guiding investigation, and of placing in a condensed and permanent form, as far as may be, these interesting records of our early history,

In accordance with this suggestion, the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution April 11-16, 1866, authorizing the Regents to make such arrangements as might be found desirable, with the authority of Pennsylvania, for renewing and replacing the monument near Lake Erie on the Western boundary line.

On the 18th of April, 1867, the Regents made a brief report,' in which they stated that while engaged in this investigation, they had been led to examine to some extent the history of the Southern boundary so far as it coincided with the forty-second parallel of latitude, and had found the records and memorials of the survey scattered and imperfect, and that in the preparation of the Revised Statutes, at least three historical errors had been committed in the description of a single monument at the south-western corner of the State. A correspondence had been opened with the Governor of Pennsylvania with the prospect that commissioners would be appointed to act on the part of that State. This was done, and on the 15th of September, 1869, a monument was placed near the margin of Lake Erie (Lat. 42° 15′ 57.9"; Lon. 79° 45′ 54.4"), properly inscribed, William Evans for J. M. Campbell, SurveyorGeneral of Pennsylvania, being present to represent that State, and John V. L. Pruyn (Chancellor); George R. Perkins (Regent); S. B. Woolworth (Sec. of Regents), and George W. Patterson representing the State of New York.3

In further pursuance of these duties, the Regents, on the 3d of September, 1869, appointed a select committee, consisting of the Chancellor, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Johnson, and on the 30th of September, 1869, transmitted to the several boards of supervisors along

Senate Doc. 18, 1867.

It was found upon inquiry that this angle was at or near the center of a highway, and that there was no visible mark to denote the place.

'Annual Report of Regents, 1871, p. x.

the southern tier of counties, a circular requesting information concerning the condition of the monuments along the State line. Particular acknowledgments were made to the supervisors of Chautauqua county for their cordial co-operation, and for a complete survey of the line on two sides of that county, an extent of over fifty-four miles. With this exception no local co-operation was secured.

A report prepared chiefly by Mr. Daniel G. Pratt, Assistant Secretary of the Regents, was transmitted to the Senate May 28, 1873,1 containing a part of the historical information then collected, and this has since been further continued in a supplementary volume of much larger size.2

On the 18th of January, 1875, Governor Tilden transmitted to the Senate a communication from Governor Joel Parker, of New Jersey, with a copy of a report of survey made by George H. Cook, State Geologist of New Jersey, made in July and August, 1874, with a map. It appeared that one-third of the original monuments were gone, and that the boundary could not be traced from what remained. Questions of jurisdiction and of title might arise, and it was deemed highly important that the line should be definitely ascertained and marked. He stated his intention of directing the attention of the Legislature of his State to the subject, and recommended that the authorities of New York be invited to appoint commissioners to join those that might be appointed by New Jersey, in determining the true location of the boundary line, and marking it by

monuments.

This led to further action on the part of New York, and by an act passed May 26, 1875,3 entitled "An act in regard to the Boundary Monuments of the State," the Regents were authorized to resume the work of examination of the boundary monuments in connection with the authorities of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, replacing such as were dilapidated or missing, and the sum of $3,000 was appropriated for the expense.

On the first of June of that year, the matter was referred by the Regents to a committee consisting of the Chancellor, Mr. Pierson and Mr. Perkins, and official correspondence ensued between the

Senate Doc 108, 1873, pp. 350.

2 Report of the Regents of the University on the boundaries of the State o New York Prepared by Daniel J. Pratt, Ph. D Vol. II, being a continuation of Senate Doc. No. 108 of 1873, and Senate Doc. No. 61 of 1877, 8vo pp. 867. 3 Chap. 424, Laws of 1875.

Governors of the several States concerned, as fully reported to the Assembly in 1877.1

Governor J. D. Bedle, of New Jersey, found himself unable at first to act, from want of authority of law, but on the 13th of April, 1876, an act was passed by the Legislature of New Jersey, authorizing the Governor to appoint three Commissioners, with power to negotiate and agree upon the line as defined in an act passed September 26, 1772, but their action was not to take effect unless confirmed by the Legislatures of both States.

It was found that some difference had arisen in the definition of the powers of the Commissioners, as given in the two acts. In New York, it was limited to the replacing of dilapidated monuments on the old line. In New Jersey it was to negotiate and agree upon a true line, without regard to what had been done a century before.

On the 7th of October, 1876, the two surviving members of the New York committee,2 in a letter to Governor Bedle, called his attention to this difference, and offered to go on with the work as their State had authorized, but no reply was made to this proposition, and nothing more was done with respect to that line, under that act.

On the 19th of May, 1877, the New York committee, with S. B. Woolworth, Secretary of the Board, met the Commissioners of Pennsylvania in New York city, and after some sime spent in conversation, a series of resolutions was agreed upon by the joint com. mission, recommending that a reconnoisance of the line be first made by skilled surveyors, to ascertain what monuments were missing, and the condition of those that remained. Also, that an astronomical determination be made at four points on the line, to ascertain the true location on the surface of the earth of the forty-second parallel of latitude, and that a written report be made to them of these proceedings. Each State was to appoint a surveyor, to cooperate in the work, and the Superintendent of the Coast Survey was to be invited to cause the points in latitude to be ascertained, at the joint expense of the two States. Each State was to pay the sur veyor it appointed, and the expenses jointly incurred were to be equally divided.

Under this arrangement, H. Wadsworth Clarke, a civil engineer

Assem. Doc. 62, 1877, pp. 12.

Mr. Perkins had died in August, 1876. His place was afterward filled by the appointment of Mr Depew.

3 James Worrall, Robert N. Torrey and C. M. Gere, appointed under an act approved May 8, 1876.

of Syracuse, was appointed on the part of New York, and C. M. Gere, of Montrose, on the part of Pennsylvania.

The joint commission again met on the 19th of June, at Hale's Eddy, on the Delaware, near the eastern end of the line, and search was made for a monument at the initial point, but it could not be found. It was located by tracing eastward from milestones that were still in existence, and the survey progressed, but under great difficulties, some of the monuments remaining entire, while others were gone, and others evidently removed from their original place. When the work of the season had been about half finished, impaired health required Mr. Gere to withdraw, and the Committee received proposals from the Commissioners of Pennsylvania, that Mr. Clarke should take entire direction. The examination was continued through 119 miles, leaving 106 miles on the south, and 19 on the west lines to be completed another season.1

Field work was resumed June 13, 1878, and continued with the exception of about fifteen miles, to Lake Erie, which was reached October 28.2

In the summer of 1879, operations were delayed by lack of appropriations until June 26, when a meeting of the joint commissioners was held at Clifton Springs, N. Y., Colonels Worrall and Gere being present from Pennsylvania, and Regents Leavenworth and Pierson from New York, the latter assisted by Mr. Pratt, Assistant Secretary of the Regents, and by Surveyor Clarke.

3

The part omitted the year previous was examined during the season, and additional determinations of latitude were made by officers of the coast survey. A general report was made of the condition of the boundary. It had been found that the original line was not straight, and rarely three monuments were in line. The original mile-stones were temporary affairs, and it was probable that it was intended that more permanent ones should be placed.

One of the dangers to which these monuments were exposed, and from which they had suffered most, was that of forest fires. If of

1

Report of the Regents of the University on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Boundary Monuments. Assem. Doc. 49, 1878. pp. 51, with outline maps.

The part omitted was a rough and uncultivated district on the line of Cattaraugus county, which would require much time, and was deemed of less pres ent importance than other portions.

The results of the work in 1878 were reported to the Legislature March 14, 1879 Assem. Doc. 91, 1879, pp. 37.

3 Assembly Doc. 100, 1880, pp 41.

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