§ A petition of several inhabitants of the Borough of Reading, in the county of Berks, was presented to the house and read; setting forth, "that the petitioners beg leave to 33 convey their sincere and hearty congratulations to the house on the votes of the 8th and 10th days of April last, respecting the tenth report of the commissioners of naval enquiry; and they trust that the house will continue to scrutinize, with unceasing perseverance, the several reports that are or may be brought before them, and that they will bring forth to public view and contempt all persons, however distinguished by rank or office, who shall have been guilty of peculation, embezzlement, or misapplication of public property, and inflict on them such marks of disgrace, and such punishment, as will satisfy the expectations of an injured people consistently with the wisdom and justice of the house."