LAWS OF MARYLAND.— 1818.

699

notes of any of the banks of tKis state higher or for a greater
sum than the nominal value of such notes; and if any person
or persons, or officer or officers of any body politic or corporate,
shall be duly convicted of violating the provisons contained in
this section, such person or persons, officer or officers, shall
forfeit and pay a sum of money double the amount of the gold

than their
nominal
v alue, &c.

or silver so bought or sold ; Provided, that nothing herein con-
tained shall be construed to prohibit the importer of any gold or
silver from selling or disposing of the same in any manner, or to
any persons, such importer shall deem proper, or to prevent any
person or persons from buying gold or silver coin, unless the
same be with an intention to sell the same at a premium.
SEC. 4, 5. Repealed by 1823, ch. 147.

Proviso.

SEC. 6. And be it enacted. That the courts of law in this state,
in the construction of this act, shall consider the same as
remedial, and shall give such a construction thereto, as shall be
calculated to restrain any evasion by any subtlety or device
whatsoever of any of the provisions thereof.
SEC. 7. And be it enacted. That it shall and may lawful for
the courts of law in this state, in the trial of any case under this
act, to enfore and compel any person who may be a party in
any of the transactions prohibited by this act, to give evidence
in all and every thing relating thereto ; but no evidence to be
given by any person shall be used against him in any trial for
the like offence.

Courts in
the con-
struction of
this act to
consider
the same as
remedial,
&c.

In the trial
of any case
under this
act, court
to compel
persons to
give
evidence.

SEC. 8. And be it enacted. That all forfeitures or penalties
arising or accruing under this act shall be recovered by action
of debt in the name of this state and the informer, or by bill of
indictment in the name of this state, iu the court of the county
having cognizance thereof, and one-half of the forfeiture or
penalty so recovered shall go to the informer, and the other td
the state.

Forfeitures,
how to be
recovered.

SEC. 9. And be it enacted, That if any person duly convicted
of any offence under and in virtue of this act, shall not pay the
forfeiture or penalty recovered against him on such conviction,
such person shall be committed to the gaol of the county, in
which such conviction shall be had; and if he shall not within
twenty days after such commitment pay the said forfeiture or
penalty, then it shall and may be lawful for the court wherein
the said conviction shall be had, to sentence such person to
undergo a confinement in the common gaol of the county, for a
period of time not exceeding one year, and be treated in such
manner as the said court shall direct.

Persons
convicted
and not
paying for-
feiture to
be commit-
ted to gaol.