The house took into consideration the bill for the encouragement of learning in the several counties
of this state, and to establish an uniform system of education, agreeably to the order of the
day, and after some time spent therein, the further consideration thereof was postponed till to-morrow.

    The house met.

    THE house met.  Present the same members as on yesterday, except Mr. Whittington, Mr.
Corbin, Mr. Pattison and Mr. S. Frazier.  The proceedings of yesterday were read.
    The bill relating to negroes, and to repeal the acts of assembly therein mentioned, was sent to the
senate by the clerk.
    Mr. Spencer, 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 the head of Chester,
in Kent and Queen-Anne's counties, beg leave to report, that they have taken the same into consideration,
and are of opinion that the prayer of the said petition should be granted, and suggest the
propriety of passing a law in conformity thereto.  All which is submitted to the house.
                                                            By order,                                    S.  LUCKETT, clk.
Which was read.
    Mr. J. C. Thomas, 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 Cross
Roads, in Kent county, report, that they have taken the same into consideration,  and are of opinion
that the prayer of the said petition is reasonable and ought to be granted.  All which is submitted to
the house.
                                                            By order,                                    Z.  HUGHES, clk.
Which was read.
    The clerk of the senate delivers the resolution in favour of the methodist society in Baltimore-town,
endorsed; " By the senate, December 23, 1796:  Read the first and second time by especial
" order and assented to.
                                                            " By order,                                  A.  VAN-HORN, clk."
The bill for recording the deed therein mentioned, endorsed; " By the senate, December 23, 1796:
" Upon reconsideration will not pass.
                                                            By order,                                    W.  HARWOOD, clk."
A bill, entitled, An act to authorise and empower the vestry of William and Mary parish, in Charles
county, to sell and dispose of the negroes belonging to the said parish, and for other purposes, endorsed;
" By the senate, December 22, 1796:  Read the first time and ordered to lie on the table.
                                                            By order,                                    W.  HARWOOD, clk.
" By the senate, December 22, 1796:  Read the second time and will pass.
                                                            By order,                                    W.  HARWOOD, clk."
    Which was read the first time and ordered to lie on the table.
The bill for the better administration of justice in the several counties of this state, endorsed; " By
" the senate, December 13, 1796:  Read the first time and ordered to lie on the table.
                                                            By order,                                    W.  HARWOOD, clk.
" By the senate, December 22, 1796:  Read the second time and will pass with the proposed amendments.
                                                            By order,                                    W.  HARWOOD, clk."
    Amendments proposed.  In the 2d line of the 2d page strike out the word "second" and insert
the word "first."  In the same line strike out the word "October" and insert "August."  In the
same page, 3d line, strike out the word "fourth" and insert the word "second."  In the 4th line
of the same page strike out the word "second" and insert the word "fourth."  In the same line
strike out the word "November" and insert the word "October."  In the 5th line of the same page
strike out the word "fourth" and insert "second."  In the 9th line of the same page strike out 
the word "third" and insert the word "second."  In the 10th line of the same page strike out
the first "February" and insert the word "May."  In the same line strike out the word "August"
and insert "November."  In the same line strike out the word "first" and insert the word "second."
In the 9th line of the 4th page, after the word "and" insert " may also in court sitting."  On the
11th line of the same page strike out the words " in or out of court," and also the same words " in
or out of court" at the end of the line.  In the 12th line of the same page strike out the word
"sitting."  At the end of the same page insert " And be it enacted, That all acknowledgments of
deeds hereafter made for the conveyance of land before any chief justice of a district within his district,
or any associate justice within his county, shall be as good and valid in law as if the same were made
before any judge of the general court, or before two justices of the peace, any law, usage or custom,
to the contrary notwithstanding."  In the 7th line of the 5th page strike out the word "same" and
insert the words " said original books in writing."  In the 11th line of the 7th page, after the word
"parties" insert " at the discretion of the court."  At the end of the 7th line of the 9th page add
" until the sheriff or coroner of the county where such defendant shall reside shall have returned a