136

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

estate in fee simple, free from all liens and incumbrances
whatever, except liens for State, county or municipal taxes.
Such deed shall be prima facie evidence in all courts that all
the proceedings prior to its execution and delivery, including
the assessment and levy of the taxes, were regularly and
validly taken; that the land was subject to taxation; that the
taxes had not been paid before the sale; that the property
had not been redeemed, and than the deed vested in the
grantee an absolute title, according to its tenor.

Property
which cannot
be sold for
amount of
taxes.

(e.) If any piece of property cannot be sold for the amount
of taxes, penalties and costs due from the person to whom it
is assessed, the Town Clerk or Bailiff shall, if so directed by
the Mayor, bid off the same for the town. In such case no
certificate of sale shall be made, but if at any time thereafter
any person shall pay to the town the amount of taxes, pen-
alties and costs to date, together with all taxes, general or
special, which may become due thereon after the date of sale,
with interest at fifteen per cent, per annum, the treasurer
shall give to such person a certificate similar to the certificate
given to a purchaser at the tax sale, which shall entitle him
to the same rights and privileges as if he had purchased the
property at the tax sale.

Suit for re-
covery of prop-
erty.

(f.) If any person claiming title under a tax deed made as
hereinbefore provided shall be defeated in any suit or pro-
ceeding by or against him for the recovery of the land pur-
porting to be conveyed by such tax deed, the successful
claimant shall be adjudged to pay him the full amount paid
by the purchaser at a tax sale, with interest at the rate of
fifteen per centum per annum on the total amount thus made,
also to the amount of all taxes and assessments, State, county
and municipal, general or special, paid by the purchaser, his
heirs or assigns, after the date of the certificate of purchase,
and interest thereon at six per centum per annum. This
judgment shall be a lien on the land in controversy.

Shall notify
Clerk of Cir-
cuit Court.

(g) Within ten days after the date a piece of property has
been sold for delinquent taxes it shall be the duty of the
treasurer to notify in writing under the seal of the corpora-
tion, the Clerk oi the Circuit Court of the county wherein
the property is located, the fact of the sale, giving name
of the person in whose name it is assessed, name of pur-
chaser, description of the property sold by lot and block,
date of sale and amount for which sold. The said clerk of
the Circuit Court shall make record and index of the same
in the general land records of the county. The fee for