70 LAWS OF MARYLAND—1727.
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well knowing that in case of prosecution the expense thereof
must have been borne by the public, or the inhabitants of the
county or counties where the facts have been committed; for
remedy of which evils, |
Fees to be
paid by the
master, &c. |
SEC. 2. Be it enacted, by the right honourable the Lord Pro-
prietary, by and with the advice and consent of his lordship's
Governor, and the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly, and
the authority of the same. That from and after the end of this
present session of assembly, it shall and may be lawful to and
for the several and respective officers within this province, to
whom any fees shall arise due on any prosecution of the lord
proprietary against any servants that shall be imported into this
province, at any time after the end of this session, to charge
the same to, and recover the same from, the masters or owners
of such servants, in the same manner as if they arose due
from, and were the proper debts of, the masters or owners
themselves, as by other laws are provided; and that it shall not
be lawful for any officer, or other person, to charge the public,
or any county, for any fees that shall arise due on the prosecu-
tion of any such servants as aforesaid, any law, statute, usage
or custom to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding. |
Recom-
pense to be
made, &c. |
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, by the authority, advice
and consent aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful to and
for the owners of such servants (unless the offence whereof he,
she or they shall be convicted, be capital, and that the offender
or offenders are actually executed for the same,) at or before
the time of the expiration of such servant's servitude, to carry
such servant to the county court held for their county, and on
their making it fully appear to the justices of such court how
much tobacco hath been paid by them for such servant, on
account of such prosecutions, it shall and may be lawful for
the justices of such court, and they are hereby required, to
adjudge what time (not exceeding three years,) they shall think
reasonable, to serve the owner in recompense to such fees paid
as aforesaid, unless such servant can make payment thereof in
some other manner. |
Bastards to
be main-
tained, &c. |
SEC. 4. And be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That
all masters and owners of women servants, having bastard
children, shall be obliged to maintain such bastard children at
his or their own proper cost and charge, during the conti-
nuance of such servant woman in his or their service. |
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Proviso. |
SEC. .6. Provided, That it shall and may be lawful for the
justices of the county court where such bastard child or chil-
dren shall be born, to adjudge the mother or mothers of such
bastard child or children, where the father is unknown, or
incapable to make any satisfaction, to make her or their master
or owners full satisfaction and recompense by servitude, or other- |
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