VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS, NOVEMBER SESSION, 1808. 47

Mr. Bowles, from the committee, delivers to the speaker the following report:

THE committee to whom was referred the petition of William Keough report, that they have considered
the same, and find, that the petitioner his served as a soldier in the Maryland line during the revolution, as
stated in his petition, that he is far advanced in the wane of life, and extremely indigent; your committee be-
lieving, that from the services rendered his country, his advanced age and extreme poverty, he is an object wor-
thy of legislative protection; they therefore recommend the following resolution:

RESOLVED, That the treasurer of the western shore pay to William Keough, or his order, late a soldier in
the revolutionary war, of the Maryland line, a sum of money annually, in half yearly payments, equal to the
half pay of a sergeant.

All which is submitted.

By order, D. L. JACOB, clk.
Which was read.

The clerk of the council delivers a letter from the executive, enclosing a statement of the salary allowed t
the armourer at Frederick-town, and his accounts fur the last year; which were read, and referred to Mr. Dor-
say, Mr. Baer and Mr. Hopewell.

The bill for the benefit of Daniel Burch, of Worcester county, and the bill for the relief of George Rutter,
of Washington county, were read the second time and passed.

Mr. Chapman, from the committee, delivers to the speaker the following report:

THE committee to whom was referred the petition of Robert Halkerstone, of Charles county, report, that
they have considered the same, and are satisfied, from the documents attending it, that the petitioner was a
lieutenant in the Maryland line of the revolutionary army; that he served in different capacities as a soldier
from nearly the commencement of the war till the end thereof, during all which time he conducted himself in a
manner highly honourable to himself, and advantageous to his country; that after shedding his blood in the
struggle for that liberty which characterises America as the most dignified of nations, he is now truly the war-
worn soldier, bereft of almost every comfort, and entirely unable to procure a support from bodily exertions;
that he has a wife, and several small children, dependent on him for that relief from their necessities, which,
from his wounds and other afflictions, he is prevented from affording; they therefore, satisfied that his unfortunate
situation proceeds from his services while engaged in his country's cause, recommend the following resolution:

RESOLVED, That the treasurer of the western shore be and he is hereby directed to pay unto Robert Halker-
stone, late a lieutenant in the Maryland line during the revolutionary army, or to his order, a sum of money an-
nually, in quarterly payments, equal to the half pay of a lieutenant, as a further remuneration for those ser-
vices rendered his country during the American war.

All which is submitted.

By order, R. WELCH, Jun. clk.
Which was read.

Mr. Baer, from the committee, delivers to the speaker the following resolutions:

RESOLVED, That ——— persons be appointed in each county in this state to view and inspect the books, re-
cords and papers, in the several public offices in their respective counties; that they have free access to the
same, with power to swear any deputy-clerk in the office touching the records and entries, and that they, or a
majority of them, report the state, order and condition thereof, to the next general assembly.

RESOLVED, That for the above purpose Messrs. ——— be and they are hereby appointed to report as aforesaid
the state of the records and office papers of the several counties respectively.

RESOLVED, That for the performance of the several duties hereby required reasonable compensation shall be
made to the several persons appointed in virtue of the foregoing resolutions.

Which were read.

Mr. Porter, from the committee, delivers to the speaker a bill, entitled, An act granting leave to the trustees
of Lower West Nottingham congregation, in Caecil county and their successors, to receive a deed or deeds for
and hold the lands therein mentioned; which was read the first lime and ordered to lie on the table.

The house adjourns until Monday morning 9 o'clock.

MONDAY, December 12, 1808.

THE house met. Present the same members us on Saturday. The proceedings of Saturday were read.

The bill for the relief of George Rutter, of Washington county, the bill for the benefit of Daniel Burch, of
Worcester county, and the bill to authorise the county court of Prince-George's county to grant a commission
to mark and bound the land therein mentioned, were sent to the senate by the clerk.

A petition from the trustees of the poor of Queen-Anne's county, praying that the sum of two thousand dol-
lars may be levied on said county for the completion of the alms-house, was preferred, read, and referred to
Mr. Hopper, Mr. Wright and Mr. Scott, to consider and report thereon.

A petition from sundry inhabitants of Baltimore county, praying a further appropriation for building a bridge
over Jones's Falls, on Centre-street, was preferred,, read, and referred to Mr. Harryman, Mr. R. Steuart, Mr.
Stansbury, Mr. Brown and Mr. Bland, to consider and report thereon,