324

LAWS OF MARYLAND.— 1795.

eastern shore, the governor, with the advice and consent of the
council for the time being, shall appoint and commission one
fit and proper person to supply his place ; and every person
appointed shall, before he acts in his office, take the oath, or
affirmation, as the case may be, to the government, and an
oath, or affirmation, as the case may be, to execute his office
diligently and faithfully, without favour, affection, partiality or
prejudice.

Value to be
returned,
&c.

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That the value in current money
of all escheat lands, and improvements thereon, and the real
value in current money of all improvements on cultivated
lands, on the eastern shore, shall be returned and certified by
the surveyor, upon oath, or affirmation, as the case may be, at
the time of returning his certificate of survey, and the trea-
surer of the eastern shore shall, in all such cases, finally
ascertain the value of such lands and improvements, and shall
receive the money therefor from the party.

Judge to be
appointed,
&o.

SEC. 6. And be it enacted, That the governor, with the ad-
vice and consent of the council, be hereby authorized to appoint
and commission, on or before the first day of March next, a
person of integrity and knowledge in the law, to be judge of
the land office for the eastern shore, who shall reside at Easton
on the said shore, and whose duty it shall be to hear and deter-
mine all disputes that shall happen or arise concerning the
grant of lands, or the validity of surveys made and executed
under warrants that shall be issued out of the said office after
the said first day of March next, in like manner, and according
to such rules or orders, as are or shall be established for the
government and direction of the chancellor in the determination
of like cases, and who shall thereafter have all the powers and
authorities, with respect to land affairs on the eastern shore,
that are now vested in the chancellor of this state as judge of
the land office thereof; and in case of death, refusal, resigna-
tion or disqualification, of any person appointed judge as afore-
said, the governor and council may appoint another in his
place ; and any person appointed shall, before he acts in his
office, take the oath, or affirmation, as the case may be, to the
government, and an oath, or affirmation, as the case may be,
to execute his office diligently and faithfully, without favour,
affection, partiality or prejudice.

Party
aggrieved
may appeal,
&c.

SEC. 6. And be it enacted, That any party or parties aggriev-
ed by any judgment or determination of the said judge of the
said land office for the eastern shore, shall have full power and
right to appeal from any such judgment or determination to the
chancellor of the state, as judge of the land office ; and in all
.cases of such appeals, where the judgment or determination