LAWS OF MARYLAND.— 1781.

16?

CHAPTER 13.

AN ACT directing the proceedings against persons guilty of Fornication.
Supplements 1785, ch. 47, 1796, ch. 34.

Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That
from and after the cud of this present session of assembly, it
shall and may be lawful for any justice of the peace within this
state, as often as he shall be informed of any female person
having an illegitimate child, to issue his warrant to the con-
stable of the hundred in which such person resides, who is
hereby required to carry such person before some justice of the
peace of the county, who shall call on her for security to
indemnify the county from any charge that may accrue by
means of such child, and, upon neglect or refusal, to commit
her to the custody of the sheriff of the county, to be by him
safely kept until she shall give such security ; but in case she
shall on oath discover the father, then the said justice is hereby
required to discharge her from such warrant, and directed to
call such father, if a resident of the county, before him, and
shall cause him to give security in the sum of thirty pounds
current money, to indemnify the county from all charges that
may arise for the maintenance of such child ; but in case the
father be a resident of any other county within this state, then
the justice shall transmit, under his hand and seal, a copy of
the proceedings in such case had, and the justice to whom the
said proceedings shall be sent, shall forthwith proceed against
the father in manner and form as is before directed.
By 1785, ch. 47, the constables are required to give information to some
justice of any free woman having an illegitimate child.

Justices to
issue war-
rants, &c.

SEC. 2. Provided always, That in case any person charged
with being the father of a bastard child should think himself
aggrieved by the judgment aforesaid, it shall and may be law-
ful for the said justice, and he is hereby required, to cause such
person to enter into recognizance for his appearance at the next
county court; and the justices of the said county court are
hereby directed to take cognizance thereof, and such proceed-
ings shall thereupon be had as in other criminal cases; and ii
the person so charged be found guilty by the verdict of a jury,
the court shall immediately order such person to give security
to indemnify the county from any charges that may accrue for
the maintenance of the said child ; and if he shall neglect or
refuse to give such security, he shall be committed to the cus-
tody of the sheriff until he comply ; and any person swearing
falsely in the premises shall suffer the same pains and penalties
as persons guilty of wilful and corrupt perjury.
By 1785, ch. 47, the justices are directed to return such recognizances
to the next county court, which is to be recorded, and process to issue
thereon. By 1796, ch, 34, any justice of the peace may, on application,

Proviso.