ART. 16.] PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY. 729

upon such examination, appear to be for the use and benefit of
the party applying therefor, the clerk shall refuse to grant it.

92. Any two justices of the peace in said county, on the appli-
cation of three or more judicious persons, may issue a requisition
for as many inhabitants of said county, subject to militia duty,
as they may think necessary, not exceeding fifteen m any one
company, to be denominated a patrol.

93. Such patrol shall serve for a period of not less than four
nor more than eight hours.

94. The justices shall appoint two discreet persons of the
patrol, to be captains.

95. The patrol shall make diligent search through the district
prescribed in their authority, and disperse all unlawful and
riotous assemblages of negroes, and apprehend and seize all
negroes and slaves whom they may have reason to suspect have
unlawfully absented themselves from home, or have illegally
emigrated from. another State, or are in any manner violating
the law.

96. They shall, as soon as convenient, take all persona whom
they may apprehend, before some justice of the peace of the
county, for examination; and if, upon. full investigation, the
justice shall be of opinion that such person has run away from
the service of his master, has illegally emigrated to this State, or
has in any manner violated the law, he shall commit him to the
county jail, to be dealt with according to law.

97. If they shall have reason to suspect that any runaway
negro or slave is concealed or harbored in any dwelling or out-
house of any negro within their search, they shall demand to be
admitted into the same, for the purpose of search; and if the
owner or occupant shall refuse to suffer such entry and search,
they may uae all necessary force to effect the same, and, in any
action or suit brought by any owner or occupant, for any entry
made in virtue of this section, the defendant may plead the
general issue, and give the special matter in evidence.

98. If any person named in such requisition or patrol, on
being duly notified and summoned by the justices of the peace,
or by their authority, shall neglect or refuse to obey such sum-