1868.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 305

pride upon its towering spires as one of the proudest monu-
ments of our State.

EDWARD J. CHAISTT, M. D.,
THOS. W. HAMMOND, M. D.,
CHAS. H. ROSE, M. D.,

Committee.
Which was read, adopted, and,

On motion of Mr. Herbert,
Five hundred copies ordered to be printed.

Mr. Bond, of Baltimore city, submitted the following re-
port :

The Select Committee appointed by this House to examine
into the condition of the Land Records of Baltimore City,
respectfully report, that they have performed the duty allotted
them, and find that the condition of these Records demands
immediate attention. Many of these volumes, libers, as
well as indexes,—more especially those of the years of 1851,
2, 3, 4 and 5,—are almost illegible, some from the effects of
time, and continuous handling, others from the unclerkly
hand in which they were originally transcribed. Deeming
it a matter of the utmost importance that these muniments of
title should be preserved, your Committee respectfully recom-
mend to this honorable body, the passage of an Act empow-
ing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to appropriate
a sum not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars, to be by them
expended in the perpetuation of these important records.

Respectfully submitted,

G. MORRIS BOND,
FERDINAND C. LATROBE,
JAMES W. McELROY,
J. B. WENTZ, JR.

Which was adopted.

John M. Carter, Esq., Secretary of State, delivered the
following message from His Excellency, the Governor :

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Annapolis, Feb. 6, 1868.
To the House of Delegates :

GENTLEMEN:—I have this day signed and transmitted to
the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, the following bills received
from your Honorable Body on the 30th day of January,
ultimo:

An Act to amend an Act, entitled "an Act to authorize
and empower the County Commissioners of Kent county to