HUGHES' CASE. 49

all the parties interested according to their several just proportions, then
you, or a majority of you, shall allot to the several parties their respec-
tive shares of the said land : and in case the said estate shall consist of
houses, you, or a majority of you, shall make allotment and partition
among the parties. And you, or a majority of you, are hereby empowered
and directed to ascertain and lay off the widow's dower in and to the lands
and tenements of the estate, before you shall proceed to divide or value
the same; and you, or a majority of you, shall make the ascertainment
and location of such dower a part of your return to this commission.
And you, or a majority of you, shall cause notice to be given to all par-
ties concerned, by advertisement, set up at the court house, and in such
other public places in the said counties as you may direct, at least thirty
days previous to your proceeding to execute this commission. And you,
or a majority of you, are appointed commissioners to proceed in the
premises, according to the directions of an act of the General Assembly
of Maryland, passed at December session 1820, chap. 191, entitled,
" An act to reduce into one system the laws to direct descents." And
you, or a majority of you, having made partition or allotment in manner
aforesaid, shall make return of your proceedings to our Court of Chancery
without delay. Witness the Honourable Theodorick Bland, Esquire,
Chancellor, this 18th day of April, 1825."

" Test,—RAMSEY WATERS, Reg. Cur. Can"

COMMISSIONERS' OATH.

Be it remembered, that on this —— day of —— personally appeared
Joseph Townshend, &c. before the subscriber, one of the Justices of the
Peace in and for Baltimore county, and made oath, [or affirmation,] that
they would well and faithfully perform the duties required of them by the
annexed commission, and all duties assigned them under the act of Assem-
bly therein referred to; and that they would proceed in the execution
and completion of the said commission without favour, partiality, or preju-
dice, and according to the best of their judgment and understanding.

The commissioners made a return of their proceedings and the
partition which they had made in pursuance of this commission;
and an agreement in writing, signed by each one of the heirs, pray-
ing that the return might be ratified and a final decree passed, having
been filed, the case was submitted accordingly.

27th July, 1825.—BLAND, Chancellor.—This case standing ready
for hearing, and having been submitted, the proceedings were read
and considered.

Whereupon it is decreed, with the assent of the parties in
writing filed, that the return of the commissioners and the