The Attorney General, on the petition of John Champlin, Esq. refered to him by the honorable the Assembly, reported:

That the suits for which the costs are charged by Mr. Champlin, were originally brought in the supreme court of this state by Mr. Cantine: That the costs in that court, amounting in all the suits to $209 60, were paid: That the suits were removed into the supreme court of the United States, and John Champlin, Esq. substituted for Mr. Cantine: That since that time, Mr. Champlin has had the sole management and control of the suits: The services he charges for, have doubtless been rendered: The Attorney General never having practised in that court, does not feel himself most competent to decide on the correctness of all the items of the taxable costs, nor has he deemed it material to examine them particularly, as the legislature will, it is presumed, direct, that they be regularly taxed by the proper officer. On the subject of court fees, the Attorney General expresses no opinion, as he is not advised that the honorable the Assembly had that in view in the reference. It is for the legislature to decide, whether the services of that description have not already been rewarded with exemplary liberality.

M. VAN BUREN, Attorney General.

March 20, 1818.