GENERAL REGULATIONS.
HAVING already noticed the direction of the
constitution and form of government, that there should be two
registers of the land office, one on each shore, and that short
extracts of the grants and certificates of land " on the
" Western and Eastern Shores respectively" should be made in
separate books, at the public expence, and deposited in the
offices of those registers, in such manner as should
thereafter be provided by the general assembly, it is proper,
before we proceed to other subjects, to speak of their mode of
appointment, qualifications, and tenure of office, which are
also regulated by the constitution.
The 48th article of this instrument directs that the
registers of the land office, among others therein enumerated,
shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and
consent of the council, the 40th having previously declared that
those officers, with others therein mentioned; should hold
their commissions during good behaviour, removeable only
for misbehaviour, on conviction in a court of law.
By the 52d article every register of the land office, is to
take an oath that he will not, directly or indirectly receive
any fee or reward for doing his office, but what is or shall be
allowed by law, nor will directly or indirectly receive the
profits, or any part of the profits of any office held by any other
person, and that he does not hold the same in trust, or for the
benefit of, any other person; and the 53d article prescribes
the penalties to be incurred for offences in these particulars.
