respectfully considered. A contrary intimation is an unjust
reflection on that Committee.

Mr. WOOD: My remark was not intended to reflect upon that
Committee. I referred merely to the great amount of business
before it.

Mr. BENEDICT: There the gentleman is equally at fault. That
Committee is a working Committee, and disposed of all the
business before it on Friday last. I am, however, in favor of the
motion for a select committee, and desire that the petition
should receive legitimate and careful consideration, not only
because the petition is largely signed, but because every
petition from any portion of the people on any subject, should
receive a respectful hearing from the people's representatives. I
I hope, therefore, that not a single member may vote against the
reception of this petition, whatever his views may be in regard
to granting its prayer. I am in favor of the right of petition.

Mr. BURNETT: It was not my wish in the motion I made to have this
petition rejected. Had I intended any such thing I should have
said so; for I always go directly at what I want to accomplish,
and never fail to call things by their right names. I merely
wished, before any disposition was made of the petition, that the
members should have time to examine the address, which is the key
of the whole subject. This is all I desire; and it was simply an
expression of this desire that has awakened all this windy gust
of passion. After members shall examine the address which
accompanies this petition, they can make such disposition of the
petition itself as they shall deem wise and proper. This is the
length and breadth of my object and desire.

Mr. WOOD: I think the House understands the subject sufficiently
to justify action upon my motion of reference.

The motion for the Select Committee prevailed, ayes, 84; the Committee
appointed, and Mr. Wood excused from serving.

REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE.

IN ASSEMBLY, MONDAY, _March 27, 1854_.

The Select Committee, to whom was referred the various petitions
requesting "the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York to
appoint a joint committee to revise the Statutes of New York, and
to propose such amendments as will fully establish the legal
equality o