15

empt from the imposition of any tax or burthen by the States
assenting to this law.

SECTION 17; And be it enacted, That the said President and
Directors shall annually, or semi-annully, declare and make
such dividend as they may deem proper, of the net profits
arising from their resources of the said company, after de-
ducting the necessary current and probable contingent ex-
penses; and that they shall divide the same amongst the
proprietors of the stock of said company, in proper propor-
tions to their respective shares.

SECTION 18. And be it enacted, That if any person or per-
sons shall wilfully by any means whasotever, injure, impair,
or destroy any part of any railroad constructed by said com-
pany under this act, or any of their necessary works, build-
ings, carriages, vehicles or machines of said company, such
persons so offending, shall each of them, for every such of-
fence, forfeit and pay to the said company, the sum of five
hundred dollars, which may be recovered in the name of said
company, by an action of debt in the county court of the
county wherein the offence shall be committed, and shall
also be subject to indictment in said court; and upon convic-
tion of such offence, shall be punished by fine and imprison-
ment in the discretion of the court.

Sec. 19. And be it enacted, That as soon as this act shall
have been passed by the Legislature of Maryland, books may
be opened, subscriptions received, and the said company organ-
ized, and that when organized, the said company and the
President and Directors of the same, shall have all the
powers, rights and privileges granted by this act, and shall
be subject to all its regulations in constructing or repairing
any of the said railroads, or other necessary works or build-
ings, which may or can be constructed within the limits of the
State of Maryland, and in transporting persons, goods, mer-
chandise or property of any description, along any of said
roads, and that the provisions of this act shall be wholly in
force, as to all the property of the company, which may be
situated or may be within the State of Maryland, and which
said company is permitted to hold under this act.

Sec. 20. And be it enacted, That if said road shall not be
commenced in six years from the passage of this act, and
shall not be finished in twelve years from the time of com-
mencement thereof, then this act shall be null and void.

Sec. 21. And be it enacied, That full right and privilege is
hereby reserved to the citizens of this State, or any company
hereafter to be incorporated under the authority of this State,
to connect with the road hereby provided for, or other rail-
road leading from the main route to any part or parts of this
State; provided, that in forming such connection no injury
shall be done to the Works of the company hereby incorpo-
rated.