THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 125 
viduals, plots of ground not exceeding two acres in extent, for 
the sole purpose of cultivating oysters. Numerous applications 
were made to these committees, and many acres of ground, most- 
ly in the shallow waters of the bays and coves, were designated 
for this purpose. The State then passed laws recognizing the 
right of property in these lots, and punishing depredators and 
thieves for stealing from them. The business of raising oysters 
gradually increased in magnitude, new laws were enacted for 
the regulation of the industry, and finally some of the more ad- 
venturous of the cultivators conceived the idea that oysters 
might be successfully raised in deeper water than had yet been 
tried. Their efforts were successful and a new impetus was 
given to the business. An interesting account of the industry 
up to and including 1880, may be found in the article contrib- 
uted by Mr. Ernest Ingersoll to the tenth census of the United 
States. During all these years a dispute had existed between 
the States of New York and Connecticut in reference to the re 
spective boundaries of the two States in Long Island Sound, and 
also as to that of Connecticut on the west end, and New York on 
the east; in the former case New York claiming to low water mark 
on the northern shore of Long Island Sound, and in the latter 
about 2,600 acres more than Connecticut was willing to concede. 
Commissioners were appointed by the two States to take the 
matter into consideration, and after due consultation they re- 
ported in favor of Connecticut conceding the 2,600 acres in dis- 
pute on her western boundary to New York, and New York 
giving to Connecticut about one-half of Long Island Sound, the 
line running practically through the center. An act carrying 
out the recommendation of the Commissioners was passed by 
the legislatures of New York and Connecticut, and finally ap- 
proved by Congress, February 26th, 1881, and the new boundary 
was finally fixed. 
On the 14th of April, 1881, the legislature of Connecticut 
passed an Act Establishing a State Commission for the Designa- 
tion of Oyster Grounds, a copy of which is here inserted: 
