ART. 37.] EVIDENCE.

quate compensation for the said property, and that it
ought not to be doubted that the federal government,
when the passions excited by the late unhappy civil
war shall have subsided, will recognize the justice of
the said claims and faithfully perform her manifest
'duty in regard to it, and further, that the general
assembly ought to provide by law for the taking and
perpetuating the evidence of the number and value
of the persons held to labor and service as aforesaid,
by the loyal citizens of Maryland, and so as aforesaid,
discharged from such service and labor : therefore,

113

60. The governor, by and with the advice and con-
sent of the senate and previous to the adjournment
of the present session, shall appoint one person of
suitable character and ability, resident in each county
of the state, and one in Baltimore city, who shall be
styled a commissioner of slave statistics, and who,
before entering upon the discharge of his duties here-

Ibid s 1
Governor to
appoint com-
missioners of
slave statistics

inafter described, shall give bond in the sum of five
thousand dollars to be approved by the clerk of the
circuit court of each county, and of the superior
court of the city of Baltimore, respectively, for the
faithful performance of his duties as such commis-
sioner, and subscribe to the following oath before the

Bond.

said comptroller, viz : I, ———— , do solemnly swear
or affirm, that I will faithfully and impartially dis-
charge the duties of commissioner of slave statistics
to the best of my judgment and ability, according to
the laws of the state of Maryland, so help me God.
And any vacancy occurring by the death, resigna-
tion or other cause, of any of the commissioners so
appointed, after the adjournment of the legislature,
shall be filled by the governor of the state.

Oath.

61. The commissioners so appointed shall procure
suitable printed blank forms or tabular statements,
which when properly filled up or made according to
the provisions of this act, shall exhibit the names of
the former owners of slaves in their respective coun-
ties or districts at the time of the adoption of the con-
stitution in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-four,

Ibid s. 2.
Commission-
ers to obtain
statements of
names-of-slave
, owners, &c.