117

STATE OF NEW YORK,

Executive Department,
Albany, Dec. 2d, 1850.
To the Hon. J. G. CHAPMAN,
President of the Maryland State Convention, Annapolis:
SIR—Your favor of 25th ult., covering a copy of a resolution
of the Convection now in session in your State, has this day been
received. I have referred it to the Secretary of State, with the re
quest that he will furnish you with the information desired, with
respect to the State of New York.
With much respect,
Your obedient servant,
HAMILTON FISH.
Which was read and with the reports therein mentioned referred
to the committee on Education.
On motion of Mr. Biser, it was
Ordered, That the committee to consider and report a Declara
tion of Rights, inquire into the expediency of engrafting a section
in the Declaration of Rights, that no religious test shall be required
as a qualification for any office of public trust; that the free exer
cise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without
discrimination or preference, shall for ever be allowed in this State;
and that no person shall be rendered incompetent to be a witness
on account of his opinions on matters of religious belief; but the
liberty of conscience hereby secured, shall not be so construed as to
excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with
the peace or safety of this State.
The President laid before the Convention a report from the Re
gister of Wills of Cecil county, in obedience to the order of the
Convention of the 15th ultimo;
Which was read and referred to the committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Hicks submitted the following order:
Ordered, That the committee on Education be requested to in
quire into the propriety of causing the Scriptures to be made a
standard book for the use of public schools in this State, to be
hereafter established, and report their conclusion to this Conven
tion.
Which was read, and
On motion of Mr. Fitzpatrick,
Laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. Phelps, it was
Ordered, That the committee on Representation of the two
Houses of the General Assembly, and a proper apportionment of re
presentation in the same, be and theyare hereby directed to inquire
into the propriety and expediency of limiting the number ofrnem
bers of the House of Delegates of this State to forty; provided the
present ratio of representation between the Eastern and Western
Shores be not disturbed.
Mr. Davis submitted the following order:
Ordered, That the committee to consider and report respecting