182

LAWS OF MARYLAND.— 1783-84.

son and persons, whom the grantor, bargainor or vendor, might
or could debar by any mode of common recovery, or any ways
or means whatsoever, any law or usage to the contrary notwith-
standing.

APRIL, 1783.— CHAPTER 20.
AN ACT to explain and amend an act for the sale of certain confiscated
British properly.
See ante, page 164, note to 1780, ch. 45.

CHAPTER 30.

AN ACT to authorize the probat of Wills in the county where the witnesses
reside.
Another and conflicting provision made 1798, ch. 101.

NOVEMBER, 1783.— CHAPTER 18.

AN ACT for the relief of the Christian Society of people called Nicolites
or New Quakers.

Preamble.

WHEREAS the society of people called Nicolites, or New
Quakers, have, by their humble petition to this general assem-
bly, set forth, that they labour under many great and grievous
inconveniences, owing to their conscientious scruples relative to
the taking oaths in the usual form, and not being admitted to
declare the truth of their knowledge by solemn affirmation :
And whereas it is declared in the thirty-sixth section of the
declaration of rights, that the manner of administering an oath
to any person ought to be such as those of the religious persua-
sion, profession or denomination, of which such person is one,
generally esteem the most effectual confirmation by the attesta-
tion of the Divine Being; therefore,

Society to
enjoy rights
&c.

SEC. 2. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That the society of people called Nicolites or New Quakers,
shall be, and they are hereby entitled to, and shall have and
enjoy, all the rights, privileges, immunities and franchises, that
the people called Quakers are in any manner entitled to enjoy,
under the declaration of rights, form of government, or any law
or laws in force within this state, any law, custom or usage, to
the contrary notwithstanding.
Vide 1817, ch. 61, by which an affirmation is made of same avail as an
oath.

NOVEMBER, 1784.— CHAPTER 7.
AN ACT to provide a permanent fund for the further encouragement and
establishment of Washington College.
A supplement April, 1792, ch. 7.
The sections of this act operating on the police regulations of the state
are only reprinted — the whole act was restricted in its provisions to the
eastern shore. The funds provided for the establishment of the college,
were withdrawn by 1805, ch. 85.