Page:Some History about the Village of Berlin.pdf/140

REF.30

Berlin, Md.
May 10, 1864

Mr. Ringold

Dear Sir;
I see from a letter addressed to Mr. Spates that you demand rent for my warehouse situated on the canal which right was granted to me in the year 1841. For more than 20 years I have used this property for the purpose of assisting or giving aid to the canal in storage of tolls by the purchasing and storing of grain to be shipped and canal parts to the District of Columbia. I think it very absurd or singular that any board should ask me at this date to pay rent for my own property and it feeding or keeping up the canal by shipping grain from it every week in the year. I paid for the property and it has been sold some three time since the builders owned it, reasonable. and its leased for 99 years and I presume Do you suppose they would have put up a building that cost 1500$ to be taken within 90 days notice, and why now at this late day after 20 years peaceable possession ask me to pay the company rent. I hope the matter will be finally understood. As to my store room situated in the lock or adjacent to it, I own the lot fronting the canal and it has always been considered that the owner of the property lying next to it has the preference and privilege of building or making any improvement that may add to the interest of said canal which it has been. I know the canal owes me