274 HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. [1769. 



were adopted by Mason and Dixon — the tangent-line, to use 

 their own language, "not passing one inch eastward or west- 

 ward" of the post marking the tangent point set in the ground 

 by those whom they superseded.^ It will be remembered that 

 the starting-point of the line run in 1739 was on the meridian 

 of this tangent fifteen and a-quarter miles south of the southern 

 part of the City of Philadelphia. The agreement now fixes it 

 at fifteen miles. Having ascertained this point, the learned 

 surveyors proceeded slowly but surely in running and marking 

 the line that bears their names. In the autumn of 1767 their 

 labors were suddenly brought to a close, by the command of the 

 Six Nations of Indians, after they had reached a distance of 

 244 miles west of the Delaware. 



The stones intended to permanently designate the boundary 

 were not planted till the following year. 



The year 1768 was another year of jubilee for our good 

 people, for the Commissioners and Assessors, " after inspecting 

 into the afi"airs of the county, find no necessity for raising a tax 

 this year." This announcement may be regarded as more sin- 

 gular, in having been made at a time when great apprehension 

 existed of the breaking out of an Indian war, in consequence of 

 the most inhuman murder of ten Indians at Middle Creek, in 

 Cumberland County, by one Frederic Stump. 



An act was passed in 1768 "for regulating the fishery in the 

 river Brandy wine." The object of the act was to regulate the 

 dams so that the fish could pass up. 



The practice of advertising, by candidates, for the ofiice of 

 sheriff, which commenced in Philadelphia in 1744, was probably 

 introduced about this period into Chester County. The follow- 

 ing is a specimen of the advertisement then in use. 



" To the Freeholders, and others, Electors for the Borough aiid 

 County of Chester, 



Gentlemen: 



When I reflect on the honor done, and 

 confidence placed in me by the freemen of this county, for a 

 number of years past, it afibrds me a matter of joy, and em- 

 boldens me at this time, to offer myself as a candidate for the 

 Sheriff's office, for which purpose I humbly request your votes 

 and interest at the ensuing election, which kindness. Gentlemen, 

 shall be gratefully acknowledged and kept in remembrance by 

 your assured friend. Richard Baker." 



Sheriffs were elected annually, and for some years past John 

 Morton, the signer of the Declaration of Independence had held 

 that office. Jesse Maris was the successful candidate this year, 



1 Address of J. H. Latrobe, 33. 



