GEORGE HOWARD, ESQ. GOVERNOR.

1831.

dispose of the, same under said will according to its provi-

CHAP. 274.

sions, in the same right and manner as if said slaves had been

born in this state, and had never been removed therefrom,

and as if the said William N. Ritchie had also remained and

died in this state, any law to the contrary notwithstanding;

Provided, it the said negroes shall refuse to go to Liberia

they shall be sold out of this state as slaves for life.

CHAPTER 274.

An act to Regulate Bail in certain cases.

Passed Mar.13.1831

Section 1 . Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That upon every arrest made by any constable, on

Constables autho-
rued to take bond,
&c.

any warrant issued in virtue of an act of assembly for the

speedy recovery of small debts out of court, and to repeal

the acts of assembly therein mentioned, and the several sup-

plements thereto, it shall be lawful for the constable making

the arrest to take bond from the person arrested, in a sum

not exceeding double the amount of the debt or damages in

dispute, conditioned for his appearance before a justice of

the peace of the same county, to be named in the said con-

dition, on the return day of the warrant, to answer the suit

of the plaintiff or plaintiffs; and in case of refusal to give

To imprison in

such bond, with sufficient security, such constable may lodge

case of failure.

such person in the common jail of the county, to be safely

kept by the sheriff until the return day of the warrant.

Sec. 2. And be it enacted, That the plaintiff or plaintiffs,

Plaintiff may s

their executors or administrators, may sue in their own

on such bond.

name, for their use, any such bond, before any justice of the

peace, without regard to the amount of the penalty thereof

in manner as small debts are recoverable; and may recover

thereon the amount, and no more, of the debt or claim of

such plaintiff or plaintiffs, on proof, to be made as in case of

the original cause of action; Provided however, that if the

Provideds

defendant shall, before judgment recovered on the bond, ap-

pear to the original case, the proceedings on the bond shall

cease on payment of the plaintiffs costs by the defendant in

the proceedings; and that said bond may be sued as afore

said, without assignment by the constable, to the party suing

Sec. 3. And be it enacted, That the said bond shall be re

Bond to be return-

turned by the constable to the justice of the peace, to who

ed to masgistrate

the warrant shall be returned, to be by such justice, pre-

served for the use of the persons interested therein, and de-

livered to such other justice as may entertain any proceed

ings as aforesaid on such bond.

44s