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With reference to the proposition contained in the following
order of the Convention, viz:
"And that he [the President of the Convention] also ascertain
if the said Secretary of the Interior would not allow the Presi.
dent of this Convention to direct such number of clerks of this
Convention, as lie may think necessary to copy from the Marshal's
returns of the various counties of this State, Howard District and
the city of Baltimore, the aggregate white, free black and slave
population of each, for the use of this Convention."
I beg leave to remark that there can be no possible objection to
the use, for the purpose designated, of the copies of the returns
which the law of 23rd May, 1850, provides to be filed with the
Secretary of the State of Maryland, and all other Stares. Should
the request however relate to the copies filed in this office, I would
beg leave to say, that to me, it would not seem proper for the ex
amination to be made in the manner indicated, because the clerks
of this office being now constantly engaged on all returns, any
thing tending to interfere with their progress, should if possibe be
avoided, as upon the examination now progressing depends the
payments (in point of time) to the assistants, many of whom are
importuning for a final settlement of their accounts.
With reference to the returns filed with your Department of
State, I would suggest, that as all returns received at this office,
immediately undergo a rigid and critical examination, and all
errors and apparent discrepancies brought to the notice of the As
sistant Marshal for correction and explanation, that if exactness is
desired, more reliance can be placed upon a statement made from
the returns in this office, than from those filed in Maryland; and
willing to afford your Convention every facility for the prosecu
tion of this labor, if desired, I will have a statement prepared
from the returns, as fast as received and corrected, so as to be able
to furnish the Convention much earlier than perhaps it could
otherwise receive it, all the information indicated as desirable by
the resolution referred to.
In the State of Maryland there are 71 Assistant Subdivisions.
Returns have been received from twenty-three, and all are now
due. Within twenty-four hours of the time of receiving the last
return from Maryland, I cars furnish you with the population
returns of the State of Maryland for the use of the Convention.
I have the honor to be sir, very respectfully your ohd't servt.
JOS. C. G. KENNEDY,
Superintendent of Census.
Which was read and laid on the table.
The President also laid before the Convention a report from
the clerk to the commissioners of Cecil county, in compliance
with the order of the Convention of the 15th inst.
Which was read. Also,
A report from the clerk of Frederick county court, stating that
the order of the Convention of the 15th inst., could not
be reached without a heavy expenditure of time and labor,