Not surprised by the fact the Mason & Dixon were from England and by extension ordered to do the work in America by the Crown. America was still an English colony and enterprise when they started their endeavor a full ten years before the American War of Independence. I imagine few educated Americans had these guys qualifications since the oldest American universities were divinity and old school liberal arts colleges.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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