1860.] OF THE HOUSE OP DELEGATES.           305

On motion of Mr. Ford,

Leave was granted the Baltimore county delegation to in-
troduce a bill to provide for the collection of taxes in arrears
in Baltimore county.

Mr. Jacobs presented a petition in relation to the free negro
population;

Referred to the committee on Colored Population.

Mr. Maxwell presented a petition from W. J. Evans, W.
M. Reynolds and fifty other citizens of Cecil county,
praying the passage of an act to pay to the Eastern Shore
Railroad company, the unexpended balance of the one million
dollars heretofore set apart for that purpose;

Referred to the committee already appointed on that sub-
ject.

Mr. Linthicum presented a petition from sundry citizens of
Dorchester county, to restrict the sale of slaves under legal
process, and by administrators and executors, to citizens of
the same county; to exempt from execution for debt slave
property, so far as the Constitution will permit; such laws not
to affect debts already contracted; to prohibit the separation,
of husband and wife, parents and young children in the sale
of slaves, as far as the exigencies and the good order of society
will permit;

"Which was referred to the committee on Colored Popu-
lation.

The Speaker laid before the House the following:

                                                             Mayor's Office,

Washington, Feb. 6, 1860.
Hon. E. G. Kilbourn,

Speaker of the House of Delegates,

                          Annapolis, Md.

Sir:—I have the honor herewith to communicate joint
resolutions of the board of aldermen, and board of common
council of the city of Washington, asking the State of Mary-
land to remove the tax imposed upon passengers on the Wash-
ington and Baltimore Railroad, with the request that you
will lay it before the body over which you preside.
I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully,
Your ob't servant,

JAMES G. BERRET,
                                  Mayor.