114

EVIDENCE. [ART. 87.

the names, number, age, sex and physical condition
of such slaves, whether they were slaves for life or
for a term of years, and how many years, whether
they have been enlisted or drafted into the military
service of the United States so far as is known to
said owners or others, and into what regiments they
were placed, and what compensation, if any, has been
received from the state or general government by
such owner or owners for such slaves so enlisted or
drafted into the military service of the United States.

Ibid s 3
Required to
visit each elec-
tion district, &c

62. The said commissioners shall visit each elec-
tion district in their respective counties, of which full
notice shall be given, both in the public newspapers
and by printed handbills, and in Baltimore city shall
open an office and give notice of the same as afore-
said, and after giving such notice for at least tea
days, shall proceed to take the evidence of the former
ownership of slaves in this state according to the

Testimony.

intent and provisions of this act, and the testimony
in all cases shall be the sworn statement of the for-
mer owner or owners, or his or her or their legal
representatives, confirmed by the testimony on oath
of at least two disinterested witnesses.

Ibid s 4.
Statements to
he copied in al-
phabetical or-
der, indexed
and recorded.

63. The original blank forms or tabular statements
when so filled and attested, shall be by said commis-
sioners copied in alphabetical order and indexed into
suitable books of record, to be procured and fur-
nished by the said commissioners at their own cost
and expense, which books of record together with all
the original papers therein copied, shall be deposited
with the clerk of the circuit court in each of the coun-
ties, and with the clerk of the superior court of Bal-
timore city, and shall be by them preserved among
the public records of the counties and city, respec-
tively, aforesaid ; and said books of record and papers
when so preserved shall be and they are hereby

Evidence.

declared to be legal evidence upon all questions con-
cerning the ownership of slaves in this state at the
time of the adoption of the constitution by which
said slaves were emancipated.