1858.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.          801

The Secretary of the Senate delivered the following
amble and resolutions:

Whereas, it appears by the memorial of Mrs. Ann E.
Smoot, widow of the late Captain Joseph Smoot, of the Uni-
ted States Navy, that the deceased felt himself aggrieved by
the action of the government of the United States, under the
act entitled, an act to promote the efficiency of the Navy, and
that while suffering under what he conceived to be the wrong
and injustice done to him, he departed this life in sadness and
sorrow, and feeling on her part, that it would not be proper
under the circumstances, for her longer to to retain the sword
which was presented to him by the State of Maryland, for
distinguished services and meritorious conduct in the actions
of the Hornet ship-of-war with the Peacock and Penguine, in
the last war with Great Britain; and has, therefore, returned
the same to the State; Therefore,

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That we have learned with profound regret, the deep wound
which the act of the retiring board made upon the generous
and sensitive spirit of Captain Smoot, and that he has depar-
ted this life under a sense of great wrong and injustice done
him by the country which he so faithfully and honorably
served, and that he was not spared by an allwise Providence to
receive the reparation, which Congress has subsequently pro-
vided to all who felt themselves aggrieved by the act of the
board aforesaid.

And be it resolved, That in securing the sword that has
thus been returned to the State, we do not consider that it has
been sullied or tarnished in the custody of its late possessor,
but we reiterate the high consideration and proud satisfaction
which the people of Maryland now and have ever felt for the
gallant services and meritorious conduct displayed by the de-
ceased in the actions aforesaid, and for the many distinguished
services which he has rendered his country through a life de-
voted to her honor.

And be it further resolved, That the Governor be and he
is hereby requested to present the sword which has thus been
returned to the State, to Algernon Sydney Smoot, son of the
late Captain Smoot, with a charge that he shall cherish it as
a testimonial of the high appreciation of the State of Mary-
land for the distinguished services of his deceased father, and
that it shall never be drawn from its scabbard for use, except
in defence of his country, her rights or her sacred honor.

Endorsed, "passed by yeas and nays;"
Which were read the first time.

The bill entitled, an act to pay John D. Toy and Schley
& Haller, for printing the reports of the commissioners to