The attorney-general and comptroller, to whom was referred the petition of William Giles, reported as follows, to wit:

That it appears, the petitioner became the purchaser, in the year 1809, of the lots of land mentioned by him—that at the time of the purchase he paid 36 dollars, and gave his bonds to secure the payment of 260 dollars, the residue of said consideration, and that he has since paid on account of the interest, which accrued on said bonds, 90 dollars and 72 cents, making in all, 162 dollars and 72 cents, which he has paid on account of said lots.

The petitioner now prays to be released from his contract—the lots being, as he alledges, nothing but rocks and marsh; and he offers, in addition to what he has already paid, to pay all the interest remaining due on the lots, with the taxes and costs. The attorney-general and comptroller will not presume to express an opinion on the policy of granting the relief prayed for, it being alone the province of the Legislature to judge of the policy and equity of the measure. Similar relief, it is proper to state, was granted last session in the case mentioned by the petitioner.

All which is respectfully submitted.

M. VAN BUREN, Attorney-General.

ARCH'D M'INTYRE, Comptroller.

Albany, March 2, 1816.