ART. 66.] NEGROES. 467

enter into such service, on account of improper usage or treat-
ment.

86. If any free negro shall leave the service of his employer
after judgment rendered against him, as provided for in this
article, or shall fail to return to such service, the employer may
take possession of said negro wherever found, and confine him in
the public jail for a period not exceeding one week at any time,
and may exercise all the power over him that a master may over
his free negro apprentice, and the expense of such arrest and
imprisonment may be deducted from the wages of such negro;
Provided, that before the employer shall take possession of such
negro under the provisions of this section, if in the peaceable
employment of another person, he shall show to such person, or
leave at his abode, a copy of the judgment rendered against said
negro.

87. No proceeding under this article against free negroes, for a
breach of contract of hiring, shall debar such negro from prose-
cuting any action he may have for cruel and improper usage or
treatment by his employer, either before a justice of the peace
or court of law.

PETITION FOE FREEDOM.

88. Every petition for freedom shall be filed in the Circuit
Court of the county where the petitioner resides, or the Criminal
Court of Baltimore, if the petitioner resides in the city of Balti-
more, if such residence be with the permission of the owner

89. On the filing of such petition, process shall issue against
the owner to compel his appearance, directed to the sheriff of the
county where such owner resides, and the sheriff shall serve and
return such process.

90. On petitions for freedom, either party shall be entitled to
a trial by jury.

91. The owner and petitioner shall each have the right to
challenge peremptorily twelve jurors.

92. If any petition for freedom shall be filed and dismissed,
and a second petition be filed at the suit of the same party, the
court in which such second petition shall be filed, shall order &