ART. 50. ] SETTLEMENT OF DECEDENTS' ESTATES.

or neglect of an executor or person entitled to administration to
qualify, or from any other cause; and such letters may he granted
to one or more persons in the discretion of the court in case the
personal estate of the deceased shall be supposed to be in different
counties.

449

98. The form of such letters shall be. as follows: Maryland, ss:
The Slate of Maryland to all persons to whom these presents shall
come, greeting: " Know ye that whereas ———— of ————, deceased,
had, as it is said, at his decease, personal property within this State,
administration whereof cannot immediately be granted, but which,
if speedy care be not taken, may be lost, destroyed, or diminished;
to the end, therefore, that the same may be preserved for those who
may appear to have a legal right or interest therein, we do hereby
request and authorize ———— of ————, to secure and collect the
said property wheresoever the same may be in this State (or in ————
county or counties), whether it be goods, chattels, debts, or credits,
and to make, or cause to be made, a true and perfect inventory
thereof, and to exhibit the same with all convenient speed, together
with a reasonable account of his collection into the office of the
register of wills of ———— county. Witness ————, chief justice of
the Orphans' Court of ———— county. Test: C. D., register of wills
for ———— county. "

Id s 61
1798, c 101,
sub c 3, a 15
Form of letters

09. Every collector, before such letters shall be granted to him,
shall execute a bond to the State in a penalty, and with security
approved by the said court, to be filed, recorded, and sued as an

Id s 62
1798, c 101,
sub-c 3, s 16
Bond

administration bond with the following condition: " The condition
of the above obligation is such that if the above bounden ————
shall well and honestly discharge the office of collector of the goods,
chattels, and personal estate and debts of ————, deceased, in the
Stale of Maryland (or ———— county); and shall make, or cause to
be made, a true and perfect inventory or inventories of such said
goods, chattels, personal estate, and debts, as shall come to his pos-
session or knowledge, and the same shall in due time return to the
register of wills of ———— county, and shall also deliver to the per-
son or persons who shall be authorized by the Orphans' Court of
said county to receive them, such of the said goods, chattels, per-
sonal estate, and debts, as shall come to his possession (except such
as shall be allowed for by the said court), then the above obligation
is to be void, or it is otherwise to remain in full force and virtue in
law. "

Condition of
bond

100. Every collector, on the grant of letters, shall take the fol-
lowing oath: " I, ————, do swear that I will well and honestly dis-
charge the office of collector of the goods, chattels, personal estate,
and debts of ————, deceased, according to the tenor of the letters
granted to me by the Orphans' Court of ———— county, and agree-
ably to the directions of law, to the best of my knowledge, so help
me God. "

Id s 63
1798. c 101,
sub-c 3, s 17
Oath