838

LAWS OF MARYLAND.— 1825.

Respecting
children of
free negroes

SEC. 2. And be it enacted. That it shall be the duty of the
said constables, and they are hereby directed to make diligent
inquiry into the condition of the children of free negroes and
mulattoes, and wherever they find the children of free negroes
and mulattoes, the parents or protectors of whom have no visible
means of supporting and clothing such children ; and such chil-
dren being at an age sufficient to be bound out as an apprentice;
immediately to lodge such information with the orphans court,
or some justice of the peace of his county or city, who shall
cause such children to be brought before them or him, and pro-
ceed to bind them out as apprentices agreeably to the act for the
better regulation of apprentices and its supplements.

Constables
oath.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted. That in addition to the oaths or
affirmations heretofore required to be taken by constables, they
shall take an oath or affirmation as follows, to wit: I, A. B.
constable of —— , do swear or affirm as the case may be, that I
will, to the best of my ability perform all the duties required of
me by the act relating to negroes, and to repeal the acts of as-
sembly therein mentioned, and the several supplements thereto,
without favour, affection or partiality.

Exceptions.
Levy court
to make
provisions
I or infirm.

(*disease,)

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That nothing in this act contained,
shall be construed to authorize any justice of the peace in this
state, to apply the provisions of this act to free negroes or mu-
lattoes, who from decease,* old age, or any other bodily infirmity
are unable to support themselves by labour; and the levy courts
in the several counties of this state, are hereby authorized and
required to make such suitable provision for all such free negroes
or mulattoes as in their judgment may be necessary for their
support and maintenance.

CHAPTER 162.

AN ACT to provide for the public instruction of youth in Primary Schools
throughout this Slate.

Office of
superinten-
dent.

SEC. 1. Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That there shall be constituted and appointed by the governor
and council, an officer to be known and distinguished as the
superintendent of public instruction.

His duties.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That it shall be the duly of the
said superintendent to digest and prepare a plan or plans for the
public instruction of youth throughout this state, for the
organization, improvement and management of such system
as may be adopted, and of such revenues as may from time to
time, be assigned and appropriated to the general objects of the
institution ; to prepare and report estimates and expenditures
of the said revenues; to superintend the collection thereof;
to apportion the funds; to perform such duties in relation
thereto, as may by law, be required of him ; to give information
to the legislature on all matters referred to him by either branch,