1856.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.          535

Answer.—The amount of the Sinking Fund, on this 26th
February, eighteen hundred and fifty-six, is three millions five
hundred and thirty-seven thousand eight hundred and fifty-five
dollars and thirty-five cents, ($3,537,855.35,) and consists of
the following Stocks of the State of Maryland, with, the amount
of each, respectively, viz:

3½ per cent. State Stock..................................... $159,000 00

4½ do. do.................. 22,499 96

5 do. do........................ 2,462,435 59

6 do. do..................................... 893,919 80

                       -----------------------------------------

         $3,537,855 35

2d Interrogatory.—What is the present condition of the Bonds
(with the Coupons.) and Certificates of Debt issued by the State
of Maryland, and held by you as Agent of the Sinking Fund?

Answer.—The Bonds and Certificates which are purchased
for the Sinking Fund, are immediately transferred to the Trea-
surer us "Agent" for the Fund. They are then cancelled, by
being cut or otherwise mutilated, and they (together with the
Certificates which are issued in lieu of them,) are handed over
to the Joint Committee of the two Houses, which is appointed at
each Session to receipt for, examine, count and burn them, with
such Coupons as shall have been received by the Treasurer from
the Agents of the State, who pay the interest on the Public
Debt.               

The answer to the first Interrogatory fully explains the present
condition of the Sinking Fund, and particularly the description
of the Public Stocks issued by the State of Maryland, and now
held by the Treasurer as the Agent of that Fund.

It will be seen by the answer to the second Interrogatory, that
the Bonds, with the Coupons and Certificates of Debt purchased
by his predecessors, have been carefully registered and then
burnt by the Committees appointed from time to time by the Le-
gislature for that purpose, with the exception of such Bonds,
with the Coupons, as have been purchased during the last four
years. These remain in the hands of the Treasurer, (cancelled,)
waiting the action of the Legislature.

Upon an examination of the Books of the Treasury, the Com-
mittee are satisfied that such entries and registrations have been
made as will clearly exhibit the condition and character of the
"Sinking Fund," and effectually guard the State against misuse
or misapplication.

It appears, from an examination of the various descriptions of
Public Debt held by the Treasurer as Agent of the "Sinking