616 CALVERT COUNTY. [ART. 5.

instrument of waiting destroyed by said fire or lost, may be
proven by parol or otherwise, in accordance with the rules of
evidence, and when so proven shall have the same force and
effect as the original would have had.

1886, ch. 116.

108. The judges of the circuit court for Calvert county, or a
majority of said judges, upon petition or otherwise, are author-
ized and empowered to hear and determine all matters relating to
or concerning the contents of the lost records and dockets of said
county, and to order the restoration and reinstatement of any and
all judgments, decrees and other matters at law or in equity,
obtained in the courts of said county prior to the destruction of
the records thereof by fire, the evidence of which, whether
primary or secondary, written or parol, is in their judgment
sufficient to justify them in ordering the restoration and reinstate-
ment upon the records, books or dockets of said courts, of said
judgments, decrees and other matters; and all such judgments,
decrees and other matters shall have the same effect and
operation in law or equity as they had when rendered by the
judges of said courts, and shall secure to the parties interested
the same rights, interest and privileges as they were possessed of
before the fire occurred.

Ibid.

109. When it is made to appear to the satisfaction of the
judges of said circuit court, or a majority thereof, that the
amounts of said judgments, decrees or other matters, or any one
of them so sought to be re-established and re-enacted, does not
include the incidental expenses, such as clerk's costs, fees and
other expenses usually incurred in obtaining said judgment,
decree or other matter, it shall be no ground or reason for
refusing to hear said petition or ascertaining, if possible, the
probable amount of said judgment, decree or other matter; and if
it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the judges, or a
majority thereof, that a judgment, decree or other matter was
rendered in a certain year, but the term of court remains uncertain
or impossible to prove, they shall order that the said judgment,
decree or other matter, shall be reinstated for the amount of
indebtedness proved, and to take effect from the latest term in
said year, saving the right of appeal in all cases.