Page:Historic highways of America (Volume 13).djvu/120

 impossible alternative. The point at issue in the great quarrel, which became exceedingly bitter and was at last settled only by Federal interference, was, therefore, very plain. This famous dispute for right of way through these strategic twelve miles was not settled until 1832, both companies suffering in consequence of the delay, and the railway losing its argument but effecting a compromise. In this year the Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the Chancery Court of Maryland and sustained the Canal Company's contention for the right of way between the Point of Rocks and Harper's Ferry. After a series of compromise proposals by the rail road to the canal had been refused, the Maryland legislature took up the matter, both works being important to that commonwealth. On May 9, 1833 a compromise was effected by the passage of a law calling for the joint construction of canal and rail road through the disputed territory; to Messrs. Charles F. Mayer and Bene S. Pigman great credit was due in handling successfully this problem, which had at its root the bitter rivalry of many years standing. The com-