granted, are questions which obviously suggest themselves, but which your committee do not deem it necessary to discuss.

Your committee therefore recommend to the House, not to concur in the amendments proposed by the Senate.

There is another question presented, which the committee suppose it their duty to notice. The amendments proposed by the Senate purport to have been passed by a majority of that body. It seems to your committee, that the facts of this case, as it is now presented, have not been adverted to. The claim now is not for a remuneration in bounty lands for services in the revolutionary war. The land was granted by the land-office, to Christian Guthrie, and consisted of lot ninety, in Milton. The claim for bounty lands has therefore been satisfied. But the land has been escheated to the State, by regular proceedings for that purpose, and the petitioners now ask for relief from the escheat. It is wholly immaterial in what manner the original title was acquired, whether by grant from the State or from an individual; that title has been legally escheated, and relief is asked on the ground that the heirs of Guthrie were ignorant of the provision made in their favor, and, of course, ignorant of the proceedings in escheat. It seems to your committee, that a knowledge of the nature of the application, is all that is necessary to satisfy any one, that the original act for the relief of the heirs of Guthrie, and the amendatory bill under consideration, both provide a gratuity for these heirs, to remunerate them for the loss sustained by the escheat, and are therefore bills for private purposes, within the meaning of the constitution.

Your committee recommend to the House the adoption of the following resolutions:

Resolved, That in the opinion of this House, the bill entitled "An act amendatory of the Act for the relief of the heirs of Christian Guthrie,'" is a bill for a private purpose, and requires the votes of two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the Legislature, to pass the same, and that the amendments of the honorable the Senate to the said bill, are of the same character, and require the same vote to pass them.

Resolved, That the said bill, with the amendments thereto, be returned to the honorable the Senate, with the foregoing resolution.

IN ASSEMBLY,

Ferurary 3, 1831.

ANNUAL REPORT

Of Isaac Sherwood, an Inspector of Sole Leather in and for the city and county of New-York.

Isaac Sherwood, inspector of sole leather for the city of NewYork.

RESPECTFULLY REPORTS :

That he has inspected since the 19th day of 4th mo. last, the day he received his commission,

50,350 sides of good and best sole leather averaging

about 15 lbs. per side making 755,250 lbs. at

the average value of 21 cts per lb.......... $158,602 50

12,488 sides of bad and damaged, wt. 187,320 lbs. valued at 15 cts. which amounts to,....

62,838

18,098 00

$176,700 50

Fees for inspecting 62,838 sides at 2 cents, is........ $1,256 56 Paid for labors,. . . .

550 16

IN ASSEMBLY,

February 3, 1831.

REPORT

Of the committee on the petitions of aliens, on the petition of Lewis Benoit.

Mr. Cargill, from the committee on the petitions of aliens, to whom was referred the petition of Lewis Benoit,

REPORTED

That Benoit is a creole or coloured man, and a native of France : That he came to this country when he was but two years of age, and has continued to reside in the city of New-York ever since. He has a wife and family, and has by his industry and attention to his calling, which is that of a musician, acquired some property, and bought a house and lot in said city, and is desirous of being the legal owner of the same in fee simple, so that it may descend to his children, or otherwise disposed of, without his title being called in question.

Said Benoit is represented to be by some of the most respectable citizens of New-York, a sober and temperate man, of regular habits and good character. And your committee can see no good reason, although he is precluded by the word white, in the act of Congress, from becoming naturalized, why he should not be permitted to hold real estate, as well as natives of colour by the constitution and laws of our State. Influenced by these reasons, as well as others, that might be adduced, your committee are of opinion that the prayer of the petitioner, which is to be permitted to hold real estate, ought to be granted; and they have prepared a bill, and directed their chairman to ask leave to introduce the same.