THE committee to whom was referred the petition of Ignatius Middleton, report, that they
have considered the same, and are of opinion that the facts therein stated are true, but that the governor
and council, by whose direction an interest of four per cent. only was exacted on bounds of a
similar nature to the one on which your petitioner was indebted to the state, were not empowered by
law to give such direction, and that the interest of six per cent. which was paid by the petitioner,
was legally and bonâ fide due, and that no part thereof ought to be refunded.  All which is submitted
to the house.
                                                        By order,                                        Z.  HUGHES, clk.
Which was read.
    Mr. Reintzel, from the committee, brings in and delivers to the speaker the following report:
    THE committee to whom was referred the petition of sundry inhabitants of George-town,
praying an act to record Peters, Beatty, Threlkeld and Deakins additions to George-town, in
Montgomery county, in the land records of the territory of Columbia, report, that they have taken
the same into consideration, and are of opinion the prayer thereof ought to be granted.  All which
is submitted to the house.
                                                        By order,                                        J. W.  KING, clk.
Which was read.
    A petition from sundry inhabitants of Chester-town, in Kent county, praying an act may pass
restraining persons from engrossing articles brought to market in said town, was preferred, read, and
referred to Mr. Barroll, Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Spencer, to consider and report thereon.
    The bill to prevent the exportation of flour not merchantable, and unsound salted provisions, from
the port of Havre-de-Grace, was read the second time, and passed.
    Mr. Duckett, from the committee, brings in and delivers to the speaker the following report:
    THE committee to whom was referred the petition of Gabriel Peterson Van-Horn, report, that
it appears, from the papers accompanying said petition, that said Van-Horn purchased of the late
intendant three hundred and twenty-nine acres of land, lying in the reserves of Baltimore county,
at three shillings and nine-pence per acre, for which sum he bonded to the state of Maryland on
the twenty-second day of September, seventeen hundred and eighty-five; it also appears, that at a
prior sale made by said intendant, the same land was sold to a certain Daniel Kerfman; that the said
Van-Horn paid to the state the amount of his bond, with interest due on the same at the time of 
payment; your committee are of opinion, that inasmuch as the state can give no title to said Van-Horn,
the same being vested in the first purchaser, the purchase money paid by said Van-Horn,
with interest due on the same, ought to be refunded by the state; they therefore submit the following
resolution:
    Whereas Gabriel Peterson Van-Horn did, on the twenty-second day of August, seventeen hundred
and ninety-three, pay to the state of Maryland the sum of ninety pounds nineteen shillings and
nine-pence in specie, state certificates and deferred stock, on his bond to the said state given for lands
purchased of the late intendant lying in the reserves of Baltimore county, to which the state can
give no title; therefore, RESOLVED, That the treasurer of the western shore refund to the said
Van-Horn the said sum of eighty-five pounds eight shillings and six-pence current money, with interest
due thereon from the said twenty-second day of August, seventeen hundred and ninety-three,
till this time.
    All which is submitted to the house.
                                                        By order,                                        S.  LUCKETT, clk.
Which was read.
    The clerk of the senate deliver the resolution empowering the governor to draw on the treasury
for a sum of money for the Catawba Indians, endorsed; " By the senate, December 10, 1796:
" Read the first and second time by especial order and assented to.
                                                        " By order,                                      A.  VAN-HORN, clk.
    A petition from the Baltimore library company, praying an act may pass incorporating the
original subscribers to the said library, by the name of the Library Company of Baltimore, with all
rights, powers and privileges, usually given to such bodies, and necessary to the ends of the institution,
was preferred, read, and referred to Mr. Baker, Mr. Key and Mr. Quynn, to consider and
report thereon.
    A petition from Benjamin Hatcheson, of Kent county, stating, that he is under execution for a
debt due to the state, and praying to be released therefrom, and a further time allowed him for the
payment of the same, was preferred, read, and referred to Mr. Barroll, Mr. Spencer and Mr.
Brome, to consider and report thereon.
    On the second reading of the bill for the better administration of justice in the several counties of
this state, agreeably to the order of the day, the question was put, That the following clause be received
as an amendment thereto?  " This act to continue and be in force till the 20th day of October,
1800, and until the end of the next session of assembly that shall happen thereafter."  The yeas
and nays being required, appeared as follow: