The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

ITS SOURCE A-VD ITS TRIBUTARIES.
nently her boundary and extend her jurisdiction, a commission was
appointed to perambulate, define, and properly indicate the line to
which she laid claim. This commission consisted of Edward Johnson and Simon WAillard, who, in the discharge of this duty, determined the outlet of Winnipesaukee Lake to be the point indicated
in the claim of Massachusetts. The Endicott Rock, at the Weirs,
was marked by the commission as follows:
El SW
WVP IOHN
ENDICVT
GOV.
This extraordinary presumption on the part of Massachusetts produced a long and acrimonious controversy between the two States,
the absurd claim of Massachusetts being resisted with determination
and success.
Charles I., in the fourth year of his reign, by letters patent,
confirmed a grant by the Council of Plymouth to certain persons of a
territory thus described, namely:'All that part of New Eig,land, in
America, which lies and extends between a great river that is commonly called lIo2iomack, alias JIerrimaclo,' etc."' *
" The Merrimack River was an important boundary in the early
times of New England; and it is accordingly frequently mentioned
in documents of the times. There seems, however, to have been no
uniformity in the spelling. Sometimes, we find several modes in the
same document. The modern form has good authority, being emphatically the' King's Engli'sh.' The following twenty modes of
spelling I have met with in a very limited search; no doubt many
others might be added:
Malamake.
Mareliake.
Meremack.
Meremacke.
Meremnak.
Merimacke.
Mermak.
Merramack.
Merramacke.
Merrematcke.
Merremeck.
Merritnac.
Merrimach.
Merrimack.
Merrimak.
Merrilneek.
Merrymacke.
Monnomacke.
Monomack.
Monumach. t
* Belkn.aps Hii-tory of Newv Ilampshire, App.
2 4,
t Ja.,ne- 1,. Frai2c"., Esq.