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On motion of Mr. Howard, the section was then passed
over informally.
Section 5 was read.
Mr. Lee said the question of a historiographer, which,
if it was not impolite, he would call a new fangle, had
been referred to the committee on the legislative depart-
ment, and by them rejected unanimously. It had been
brought before the committee which reported this article.
The committee had cast about to add some new duties to
the office of commissioner of the land office, as it was said
he had not enough to do, and as the office was important
to the western section of the State, they had thought
proper to retain it at a reduced salary, as they could not
at first find anything which could be assigned to it. As to
how this office had been added, he did not know. Mr. L.
then stated his objections to the creation of this new
office, which would open a broad field for useless expen-
ditures.
Mr. McKaig said the State of Maryland had important
records to preserve, but which in a few years would pass
away and be totally lost in oblivion unless something of
this kind was done. There were histories connected with
the early settlement of the State which were not written,
and in a few years would pass from the memory of man.
Many of the old records were now being rapidly destroyed
by the moth of time, and would soon be utterly lost if
they were not taken care of. Other States had made pro-
vision for collecting and preserving all the early reminis-
cences of their settlement. The British Museum was for
this purpose, and was regarded with much pride by every
native of Great Britain. He (Mr. McK. ) said preserve
your glorious old memories of the revolution, collect your
antiquities.
Mr. Wethered advocated the section. Maryland had
glorious traditions, and why should they not be preserved
at such a small expense as this ? When in Europe he had
bought maps of Maryland older than any to be found in
this State. The Puritans of the North took great pains
to collect all their antiquities. This remarkable people,
who were sui generis, not generous, (laughter, ) were in-
defatigable in the task of glorifying themselves and
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