266 Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 5-Oct. 3, 1704.

Lib. L. L.
No. 64.

Intents Constructions and purposes whatsoever. Anything in
this Act contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwith-
standing.

September 21 : 1704. September 21^t 1704

Read and Assented to Read and assented to by her
by the house of Delegates Majestys hon^ble Council.
W Taylard Clk h Del. W Bladen Cl.Concill

Maryland October 3^d 1704

On the behalf of her Ma^ty &c I will this be a Law
Jn^o Seymour

An Act for the Speedy tryall of Criminalls and ascertaining
their punishments in the County Courts when prosecuted
there.

Whereas many Acts of Assembly have been heretofore
made against Thieving and Stealing which at this present are
not Sufficient to prevent the Comitting those Crimes or to pun-
ish them when Comitted.
Be it therefore Enacted by the Queens most excellent
Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of her Majestys
Governour Councill and Assembly of this province and the
Authority of the same That it shall and may be lawfull to and
for the severall Justices of the County Courts of this Province

p. 57

to hold plea of adjudge and in lawfull Manner determine all
thieving and Stealing of any goods or Chattells whatsoever
not being above the value of one thousand pounds of Tobacco
(Robbery Burglary and house breaking excepted) and every
person or persons legally convicted of any such theiving and
stealing (Except before excepted) by Testimony of one or more
sufficient Evidence not being the party Grieved before any such
County Court as aforesaid shall and may cause to be punished
by paying fourfold of the value of the goods so theived or
stolen as aforesaid to the party or partys greived thereby and
by putting in the pillory and whipping so many stripes as the
Court before whom such Matter is tryed shall adjudge (not
exceeding forty) Which Court shall allways adjudge the value
of the goods so theived and Stolen as aforesaid And if any
such person so convicted have not sufficient goods and Chat-
tells or be a servant whereby he is incapable to have goods &
Chattells to Satisfy and pay the said ffourfold in every such
Case such person or persons shall receive the Corporall pun-
ishment as aforesaid and Satisfy the ffourfold and ffees of Con-
viction by servitude.