and its wise, firm and provident administration.  We regret with you that our chief
magistrate is soon to quit that exalted station, in discharging the duties of which he has gained the
confidence, esteem and love, and has justly merited the gratitude, of the American people.
    Although we regret his intended retirement from public to private life, we cannot but acknowledge
the reasonableness of the motives assigned for that determination in his late address to the people
of the United States; an address which no one of sense and feeling, no friend to his country, or
to the human race, can read unmoved, at once admiring the wisdom of its precepts, and revering
and loving the memory of the man.  May that beneficent Providence which has blessed this country
with an eight years administration of a magistrate thus enlightened, so disinterested and patriotic,
inspire his successor with the same rectitude, firmness and wisdom.  May the animosity of parties
never agitate and distract the public counsels; may public opinion, thoroughly matured; and divested
of all passionate attachments and antipathies to particular nations, ever moderate, by its influence,
the proceedings of our representatives, should the intrigues of foreign emisaries, local and contracted
views, unfounded jealousy or partialities, at any time hereafter delay or obstruct the adoption
of measures tending to the public good.
    We perfectly coincide, Sir, with you in opinion, that the making of good roads, and removing
obstructions in rivers to navigation, so as to facilitate the transportation of produce and merchandise,
are objects well deserving legislative attention and aid.  We flatter ourselves that the works on the
Patowmack, which you inform us will probably be completed in twelve months, will produce the
contemplated advantages, and prove, in process of time, a considerable source of revenue to the
state.  We are satisfied equal emoluments will arise from rendering the Susquehanna navigable into
the bay of Chesapeake.  It is expected that an application on this subject will be made to this assembly
by the proprietors of the canal; when made, it will receive that due consideration which its importance
truly merits.
    Your human attention to persons confined for debt is highly commendable; we mean not to censure
or justify the established law and practice of imprisonment in that case, but we reprobate the
confinement of prisoners in private gaols, a practice so injurious to their health and morals should
be discountenanced by the legislature; to prevent the continuance of this abuse, some plan may probably
be adopted during the present session for erecting, where necessary, commodious gaols, in
healthy situations, for the reception of prisoners.
    In a free country, such as this really is, (and we fervently pray it may ever remain so,) its legislators,
no doubt, will endeavour to promote morality and knowledge, the surest supports of liberty.
Seminaries of learning, under good regulations, contribute, we admit, to the diffusion of knowledge,
which is generally attended by virtue; the union of both forms the perfect citizen.  The best
informed mind will soonest discern the interest of the country; its energies can best display that
interest, and persuade its adoption; and the virtuous citizen, from duty and habit accustomed to self
denials, will more readily sacrifice the feelings and passions of the individual, when opposed to the
welfare of the whole.
    The foregoing, and the other subjects mentioned in your excellency's address, will be duly attended
to, and when discussed they will meet, we trust, with that decision which the revenues of
the state, the existing circumstances of the country, and public utility, may prescribe.
    We give full credence to the assertion, that no other motive than the one assigned in your excellency's
address induced you to make it, " a solicitude to co-operate in measures for the public
good;"  the same affection, we perceive, which impelled you to shed your blood, and hazard
your life, in defence of your country, glows strongly in your breast, and continues to actuate your
conduct.
    Which was read.
    The order of the day for the second reading of the bill declaring the right of personal liberty, and
redressing the injuries thereto, is postponed until Tuesday next.
    The resolution in favour of Alexander Rigdon was sent to the senate by the clerk.
    ORDERED, That the bill for the more effectual collection of the county charges in Allegany
county, be committed for amendment.
    A petition from Benjamin Griffith, of Baltimore county, stating, that he has been confined in the
gaol of said county for three years, for and on account of a decree obtained by a certain Josias Pennington
in the chancery court, and praying relief in the premises, was preferred, read, and referred 
to the committee of grievances and courts of justice.
    Mr. Robins, from the committee, brings in and delivers to Mr. Speaker, a bill, entitled, An act
to lay out certain roads, and authorising certain public landings, in Worcester county; which was
read the first time and ordered to lie on the table.
    A petition from Robert Dorsey, of Baltimore-town, praying an act of insolvency, was preferred,
read, and referred to the committee appointed on petitions of a similar nature.
    Mr. Key, from the committee, brings in and delivers to Mr. Speaker the following report:
    THE committee to whom was referred the report and accompanying vouchers of the agent,
state to the house, that they have found it, on examination, both accurate and satisfactory, and
having derived much useful information from the agent as to the present situation of our public
funds, and their probable future increase, they have thought it their duty to communicate the same
to the house, with certain resolutions, calculated, in their judgment, to promote the public interest,
by an early settlement and collection of all balances due to, and and immediate discharge of all debts
due from, the state.