1868.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 489

domestic trade in Guano, do hereby request the President of
the United States to give immediate and efficient protection
to all persons engaged in the same, and especially to cause
the Government of St. Domingo to restore at once the island
of Alta Vela, in the Carribean Sea, to the jurisdiction of the
United States, whence it was forcibly wrested, without color
of right, and to make ample atonement for her gross insult
to our flag, and the robbery and imprisonment of our citi-
zens ; and until such restitution be made, the United States
cannot consistently treat with St. Domingo for the purchase
of any territory."

AND WHEREAS, the people of this State are largely inter-
ested in the subject matter of the same ;

AND WHEREAS, citizens of Maryland are claimants as owners
of the island of Alta Vela aforesaid, under the Act of Con-
gress of 1856, commonly known as "the Guano Act;"

AND WHEREAS, said island is composed of phosphatic guano
of great agricultural and commercial value ; therefore, be it

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Delegates of the
State of Maryland, That they fully endorse the sentiments
expressed in the above resolution, and earnestly and respect-
fully unite with the Legislature of Pennsylvania in asking
of the President of the United States immediate and favorable
action on the subject.

Which were read a first time and referred to the Committee
on Federal Relations.

Mr. Dalrymple, from the Committee on the Judiciary, re-
ported favorably

A bill entitled an Act to repeal sections 2 and 3, of Ar-
ticle 36, of the Code of Public General Laws, title " estrays,"
and to re-enact the same with amendments.

Which was read a first time.
Also,

The bill entitled an Act to give the assent of the Legisla-
ture of this State to a bequest in the will of Susan A. Good-
win, late of Charles county, deceased, to the vestry of Trinity
Parish, in said county.

Which was read a first time.
Also,

A bill entitled an Act to authorize and require Hanson
Willison, late Sheriff of Allegany county, to convey certain
real estate situated in Grantsville, in said county, as in said
Act provided.

Which was read a first time.