674

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

ill Dorchester county, at or near the head of Cam-

bridge creek, that issues out of the Great Chop-

tank river, to a point at or near the head waters

of the Little Blackwater river, and thence along

said Little Blackwater to its junction with Big

Blackwater river, and then to Fishing Bay; also

from Blackwater run to Transquakin river, and

then up Transquakin and Chicamicomico rivers to

their respective heads; also to straighten the

course and improve the navigation of said river,

and for the purpose of making said canal the said

president and directors of said company may ob-

Obtain right
of way.

tain the right of way by gift, grant, purchase or

agreement with the owners of the land over which

it may be deemed proper to construct said canal,

or in case of inability to purchase or agree with

the owners of said land, the said president and

directors may apply to any justice of the peace of

Dorchester county, who shall thereupon issue his

warrant, directed to the sheriff of said county,

commanding him to summon twelve disinterested

persons qualified to serve as jurors, in the Circuit

Court, to meet at the proper place on the premises

to be valued, at not less than ten days after the

date of said warrant, and the said sheriff, shall

Qualify by
oath.

qualify the said persons either by oath or affirma-
tion, as the case may be, justly, truly and impar-

tially to value the damages which may be sustained

by the owners of said land, and make true inqui-

sition and return of the amount of damages,

taking into consideration the advantages and dis-

advantages, if any, which may be sustained by the

owner or owners of said land, under their hands

and seals and the hand and seal of the sheriff to

the clerk of the Circuit Court for Dorchester

county, and unless good cause be shown against

Inquisition
affirmed.

said inquisition, it shall be affirmed by the said

Circuit Court and recorded; but if the said inqui-

sition be set aside, or for any cause no inquisition

shall be returned to such court, within or before

the expiration of the term of said court, during

which said warrant was issued, the said court may,

at its discretion, as often as may be necessary,

direct another inquisition to be taken in the man-

ner above prescribed; and upon every such valu-