The bill to ascertain the allowance of the members of the general assembly, electors of the senate,
and electors of president and vice-president of the United States, and the bill to ascertain the allowance
to jurymen and witnesses of the general courts, and the several county courts of this state,
were sent to the senate by the clerk.
    A memorial from the Methodist society of Baltimore-town, praying a donation for the purpose of 
rebuilding the academy, lately consumed by fire, in Baltimore-town, was preferred, read, and referred
to Mr. Key, Mr. Winchester, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Spencer, Mr. Barroll, Mr. Nicholson and
Mr. Emerson, to consider and report thereon.
    A petition from Alexander Augustus Leslie, of Prince-George's county, praying an act of insolvency,
was preferred, read, and referred to the committee appointed on petitions of a similar 
nature.
    The report on the petition of sundry inhabitants of George-town, was read the second time,
concurred with, and leave given to bring in a bill pursuant thereto.  ORDERED, That Mr. Reintzel,
Mr. Oneale and Mr. Baker, be a committee to prepare and bring in the same.
    On motion, Leave given to bring in a bill to increase the allowance of the justices of the orphans
courts, and the commissioners of the tax, in the several counties therein mentioned.  ORDERED,
That Mr. Driver, Mr. Oneale, Mr. Hopewell, Mr. Barroll and Mr. Miller, be a committee to 
prepare and bring in the same.
    On motion, ORDERED, That Mr. Barroll and Mr. Nicholson be added to the committee appointed
to bring in a supplement to an act, entitled, An act relating to public roads in this state, and
to repeal the acts of assembly therein mentioned.
    Mr. Jarrett, from the committee, brings in and delivers to the speaker a bill, entitled, An act for
extending to the securities of Thomas Gibson, late sheriff of Harford county, a further time to
complete their collection; which was read the first time and ordered to lie on the table.
    Mr. Bowles, 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 Washington county,
praying that a turnpike road be established from Baltimore-town through Frederick-town to Elizabeth-town
and William's-port, report, that they have taken the same into consideration, and are of 
opinion that a law ought to pass in conformity to said petition.
                                                                By order,                                    J.  HARWOOD, clk.
Which was read
    A petition from sundry inhabitants of George-town Cross Roads, Kent county, praying an act
may pass to prevent hogs going at large, was preferred, read, and referred to the committee appointed
on a similar petition from Kent county.
    The bill directing the levy courts of Baltimore and Anne-Arundel counties to levy on their
respective counties a sum sufficient to pay Oliver and William Matthews two thirds of the sum
expended by them in repairing or rebuilding a bridge over Patapsco Falls, was read the second time
by especial order, and the question put, That the said bill do pass? Determined in the negative.
    Mr. Goldsborough appeared in the house.
    Mr. Robins, from the committee, brings in and delivers to the speaker a bill, entitled, An act to
alter and amend the judiciary system of this state; which was read the first time and ordered to lie
on the table.
    The clerk of the senate delivers the bill for the benefit of Eleanor Shuman, widow of Peter Shuman,
and her children, endorsed; " By the senate, December 9, 1796:  Read the first time and
" ordered to lie on the table.
                                                                " By order,                                  A.  VAN-HORN, clk.
" By the senate, December 12, 1796:  Read the second time and will pass.
                                                                " By order,                                  A.  VAN-HORN, clk."
    Ordered to be engrossed.
The bill declaring the right of personal liberty and redressing the injuries thereto, endorsed; " By
" the senate, November 30, 1796:   Read the first time and ordered to lie on the table.
                                                                " By order,                                  A.  VAN-HORN, clk.
" By the senate, December 12, 1796:  Read the second time and will pass.
                                                                " By order,                                  A.  VAN-HORN, clk."
    Mr. Carroll, from the committee, brings in and delivers to the speaker the following report:
    THE committee to whom was referred the memorial and petition of the proprietors of the Susquehanna
canal, having taken the same, with the attending documents, into consideration, beg leave
to report, that the information exhibited has not been sufficiently full and satisfactory to enable them 
to form a correct judgment on the subjects submitted to their inquiry.  They are fully aware of the
immense advantages which the state of Maryland must derive from making the river Susquehanna
navigable to tide water, but they are ignorant whether this can be accomplished more effectually by
completing the canal belonging to the petitioners already begun, or be relieving from obstructions
the principles of policy and equal justice, to assist in a work of so much moment, and that no time
should be lost in ascertaining the most effectual and proper form in which a portion of the public
money should be devoted to this great object.  Your committee having also taken into consideration
that part of the company's memorial soliciting a renewal of their charter, are of opinion that no
inconvenience can arise from granting the prayer thereof, provided it be done on this condition,
that the bed of the river be declared a public highway, to the intent that individuals, or the public,