214 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Jan. 31,

REPORT.

To the General Assembly of Maryland:

The undersigned respectfully represent to your Honorable
Bodies, that they were appointed by the Governor, under au-
thority of Joint Resolution (No. 9,) passed by the Legisla-
ture at the January session of 1867, commissioners for the
purpose of having surveyed a railroad route from the city of
Baltimore to Drum Point, at or near the mouth of the Pa-
tuxent River. That the duties thus assigned them have
been discharged, and that the report of their Chief Engineer
is herewith, (together with the maps, estimates, profiles etc.,)
in compliance with the requisition of the joint resolution
aforesaid.

The report of the Chief Engineer, to which reference is
made for further information on this subject, shows that a
railroad communication between the city of Baltimore and
the mouth of the Patuxent River, may be established in con-
nection with other works now existing or in course of con-
struction, by a railroad of about 55 miles in length, and at a
cost not exceeding $1,300,000, including road-bed, fixtures
and rolling stock.

The undersigned being fully satisfied that the construction

of the railroad would confer great benefits on the country
through which it would pass, on the city of Baltimore and
on the State at large, respectfully petition your Honorable
Bodies to grant a charter of incorporation for a company,
under the designation of the "Southern Maryland Rail Road
Company." to build stock and work said road with the
rights, privileges and liabilities usually devolved on incorpo-
rated companies for similar purposes, including the right to
condemn land to construct branches, and to connect with
other roads now finished, or that may be built hereafter,
with a capital stock ol $1,500,000.

We submit also accompanying this report, an account
showing the costs incurred, and disbursements made by us in
completing said survey, and respectfully refer your Honor-
able Bodies to the able and interesting report of Col. Geo.
W. Hughes, Chief Engineer, herewith submitted, for a de-
tailed statement of the mode and manner of its execution.

The Engineer reports on hand the instruments purchased
by the Commissioners, subject to the order of the General
Assembly.

All of which is respectfully submitted, with the request
that the report of the Engineer be printed by the General
Assembly.

HENRY M. WARFIELD,
JAMES T. BRISCOE,
B. ALLEN WELCH.

together with accompanying papers.