execute them.  While almost all the other officers are attended to, and their services have been
thought deserving of some increase, should the chancellor and judges of the general court go unnoticed?
Will there not be ground to apprehend that they may consider themselves as slighted by the
legislature, or regarded as deficient in their duties, and thus be induced to resign?  It is to be
feared that the judges of the general court may resign their seats, in order to resume their profession,
by which they may be enabled to provide better for their families.  You must be fully
sensible that nothing contributes more to the welfare of a country, nothing tends more to the security
of the citizen, and preservation of public liberty, than an upright, firm and able administration of
justice.  We submit it to your consideration, whether such an administration can be looked for,
should incompetent men, from mere necessity, accept the appointment, and be placed in teh seats of
judgment.  It is declared by our bill of rights, that the independency and uprightness of judges are
essential to the impartial administration of justice; to secure that independency it also declares, that
salaries liberal, but not profuse, ought to be secured to the chancellor and judges during the continuance
of their commissions.  We are persuaded you will think with us, that the present salaries of
the chancellor and of the judges of the general court, and of the district courts, cannot be considered
as liberal under the existing circumstances of the country, and when compared with the increased 
price of labour, the profits of trade, and the actual depreciation of money.  We flatter ourselves 
that these reasons, and others which your own good sense and candour must suggest, will induce you
to make augmentation to the salaries of your above-mentioned officers, as may be really adequate to
their services, and consistent with the principles of our constitution.
                                                        By order,                                  A.  VAN-HORN, clk.
    The clerk of the house of delegates delivers the paper bills number 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 51
and 53, the engrossed bills whereof were thus endorsed; " By the house of delegates, December 30,
" 1796:  Read and assented to.
                                                        " By order,                                W.   HARWOOD, clk."
    The paper bills No. 13, 19, 42, 46, 47, 56 and 66, and the engrossed bills thereof, were sent
to the house of delegates by the clerk.
    The clerk of the house of delegates delivers to the clerk fo the senate the following resolution: