ART. 21] CONVEYANCING. 75

abating the interest that has accrued, or any proportion thereof,
or any part of the principal debt in his discretion, so as to best
subserve the interest of the State, and shall grant discharges to
the said parties and their securities, upon the payment into the
treasury of the amount required by him to be paid in the settle-
ment as aforesaid; provided, the Comptroller shall be satisfied
after thorough examination into the claim, that the same could
not be collected for the State by legal process, and further, that
the Governor and Treasurer, for the time being, shall each
approve in writing any such abatement before the same shall be
effective; and provided further, that no discharge or acquittance
under this section shall be effective, unless the party or parties
to be benefited by the same shall first pay the attorney who shall
have the case in hand the legal fees, and all fees of clerks or
sheriffs.

ARTICLE XXI.

CONVEYANCING.

Conveyances in General. 1. What estate shall not pass with- out deed duly acknowledged. Power of unmarried woman between 18 and 21 years of age to make deed of trust of her property. Proviso. 2. Acknowledgments within county or city where real estate lies 8. Acknowledgments within the State, but out of county or city where real estate lies. Mortgages. 39 A. Recording of release or assign- ment, or of mortgage or deed of trust. Proceedings to sell mortgaged property, how to be recorded in the counties. Section not applicable to Bal- timore city.

Bills of Sale. 42. Acknowledgment within the State of bills of sale or chat- tel mortgages. Defective Conveyance. 82. Conveyances defectively execu- ted since Act of 1858, chapter 208, made valid. Saving in favor of creditors and pur- chasers. 82 A. Mortgages defectively sworn to since March 27, 1896, made valid. Conveyances and Devises Bind- ing on Streets and Highways. 88. Conveyances and devises of land binding on streets or highway s to pass title to the centre of such streets or highways un- less otherwise expressly de- clared.