ARCHIVIST OF THE HALL OF RECORDS 17

which ran from the end of June through the middle of July 1954. On Septem-
ber 10, this volume was given a favorable two-column review in the Baltimore
Evening Sun. It was written by James H. Bready, whose interest in Maryland
History made it possible for him to recognize whatever new this study had
contributed. Another valued review appeared in the Maryland Historical Mag-
azine for September 1954. Since it was written by one of the leading authori-
ties on Annapolis History, Professor Walter B. Norris, its general approval
was especially appreciated.

Calendar of Maryland State Papers Number 4, Part Three, The Red Books,
Publication No. 10 of the Hall of Records Commission. This volume which
completed the Red Book series was announced in my last Annual Report. At
that time the manuscript had been sent to the printer and it was confidently
expected that the finished volume would appear within fiscal year 1955. Un-
fortunately, the finished book was not delivered until after the close of the
fiscal year. It is listed here, though, because all the work of seeing it through
the press was completed during the period covered by this report.

The Maryland Manual for 1955-56 was undertaken this fiscal year, but
much of it could not be attempted until after the adjournment of the long
session of the General Assembly of 1955. Work on the manuscript was almost
completed, however, before the end of the fiscal year, and at this writing, it
is in page proof and will appear certainly before the end of the calendar year

1955. It has been thoroughly checked and revised where necessary, and several
new features have been added, including maps of the congressional and legis-
lative districts of Baltimore City.

The Courthouses and the Historical Records of Maryland Counties,
Publication No. 11 of the Hall of Records Commission, is now in preparation
and the manuscript will be finished, or nearly so, by the end of the fiscal year

1956. It will be illustrated and it will serve as a practical guide to the use of
early Maryland records.

The Court Records of Prince George's County Liber A, 1696-1699. The
publication of this volume of court records was undertaken about ten years
ago as a joint effort of the Hall of Records Commission and trie Littleton-
Griswold Committee of the American Historical Association. A transcript of
the text was prepared by the Hall of Records and the historical introduction
was written by Dr. Philip A. Crowl. The lack of a legal editor has delayed the
appearance of the book until now. The legal editorship was assumed by Joseph
H. Smith, Esq. of New York in June 1955. Mr. Smith is a practicing lawyer
and a teacher of law; he is also author of Appeals To The Privy Council From
The American Plantations (Columbia University Press, 1950). We have every
reason to anticipate an excellent book. It should appear at the end of fiscal year
1956 or at the beginning of 1957.