372 CAROLINE COUNTY. [ART. 6.

25. All sheriffs, constables and other officers, shall aid and
assist the trustees of the poor, and the officers by them em-
ployed, in the execution of their respective duties.

26. If any person shall at any time be sued or prosecuted for
any thing done in pursuance of this law, he may plead the gene-
ral issue and give the special matter in evidence in his defence;

and if upon trial a verdict shall be given for the defendant, or
if the plaintiff be nonsuit or discontinue, the defendant shall
recover treble costs.

APPRENTICES.

27. Whenever the Orphans' Court of Caroline county shall
bind out any free negro child, they may increase the freedom
dues allowed by law to such apprentice to such extent as may in
their judgment be proper, but in no case shall they exceed double
the amount now provided.

28. In binding a negro apprentice the said court may inquire
into the manner and expense of raising him, and may secure to
the parents, relations or persons who may have raised such child,
or proportion ably where the circumstances require it, such sum
to be paid by the master as the said court may deem just under
the circumstances.

29. The justices of the peace of Caroline county shall exercise
the same powers as are given to the Orphans' Court of said
county by the two preceding sections, and the Orphans' Court,
before confirming any such indenture made by a justice of the
peace, shall inquire into the circumstances, and may in their
discretion require that the said indenture shall be made to con-
form to their practice in relation to auch indentures before con-
firming the same.

BBIDGETOWN.

30. The citizens of the village of Bridgetown in Caroline
county are a body corporate by the name of " The Commission-
ers of Bridgetown," and by that name may sue and be sued, and
may have and use a common seal.

31. The limits of Bridgetown shall commence at the forks of
the road at the east end of said town, and thence running south