2112

QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY.

matter or thing whatsoever to, or purchase any matter or thing
whatsoever from, any poor, or other person entertained in the
said alms and work-house, shall, for every such offence, forfeit
and pay the sum of ten pounds current, money.

Sheriffs,
&c. to aid
trustees,

&c.

SEC. 20. And be it enacted, That all sheriffs, constables,
and all other officers and ministers of justice, shall be aiding
and assisting to the said trustees for the poor in the said
county, and to all such officers as shall be employed by them,
as by this act is directed, in the execution and performance of
the said service.

General
issue plead-
able, &c.

SEC. 21. And be it enacted, That if any person or persons
shall, at any time or times, be sued or prosecuted for any
matter or thing by him or them done and executed in pur-
suance and execution of this act, or of any matter or thing in
this act contained, such person or persons shall and may plead
the general issue, and give this act and the special matter in
evidence, for his or their defence; and if, upon trial, a verdict
shall pass for the defendant or defendants, or if the plaintiff or
plaintiffs shall become nonsuit, or discontinue his or their suit,
then such defendant or defendants shall have and recover
treble costs to him or them awarded against such plaintiff or
plaintiffs, and if the plaintiff or plaintiffs is or are unable to
satisfy the same, then it shall be paid and satisfied by the
attorney who brought such suit, unless the plaintiff or plain-
tiffs shall give security for the costs, to be approved by the
court in which such suit is brought.

Three
trustees to
be chosen
annually,

&c.

SEC. 22. And, to prevent individuals from being; unreason-
ably burthened with the execution of this act as trustees for
the poor, Be it enacted. That at the time of the meeting of
the said trustees for the poor in the first week of November
yearly, the said trustees, or the major part of them, in the
county aforesaid, shall and may elect and choose three of the
inhabitants of the said county, to be trustees for the poor of
that county in the stead of the first three named or eldest of
the said trustees of the same county, which said first named
or eldest trustees shall be, and is by virtue hereof, thencefrom
discharged from their office; and the said trustees, or a ma-
jority of them, are hereby empowered and required, as soon
as the buildings aforesaid are ready for the accommodation and
reception of the poor of the said county, to proceed to the
appointment of an overseer, and other officers and servants as
are mentioned in this act, and to do and perform every other
matter and thing necessary to the carrying the said act into
execution, according to the true intent and meaning thereof.

1803, ch. 84; 1804, ch. 24; 1806, ch. 61; 1808, ch. 60, authorize im-
provements for their use.