LLOYD LOWNDES, ESQUIRE. GOVERNOR.

fication of their appointment, take an oath before a justice of
the peace for Caroline county, that they will faithfully, fairly
and without partiality or prejudice, value and assess, in money,
the loss and damages to be suffered and incurred, as well as
benefits to be received by any person or persons interested in
the property, over, through and near which the said street,
lane or alley is to be opened, closed, extended or improved,
and they shall return the same, in writing, under their hands
and seals, with a certificate of their qualification, before a jus-
tice of the peace, as hereinbefore provided, to the said com-
missioners, which said valuation and assessment shall be ratified
or rejected by the said commissioners, as, in their judgment,
may seem proper; and if any person shall feel aggrieved by
the determination of the said commissioners in ratifying or
rejecting said award or return, or in the amount of compensa-
tion awarded, benefits assessed, or in any matter relating to
the same, he may appeal, within sixty days of said ratification,
to the Circuit Court for Caroline County, and either party
may be entitled to a trial by jury; and the judgment of the
said court shall be final among the parties to such appeal ;
provided, that the person taking such appeal shall, within ten
days, apply to said commissioners for the same in writing, and
within twenty days thereof cause to be delivered to the clerk
of the Circuit Court aforesaid, a copy of the said award tiled
with said commissioners, together with a copy of the order of
said commissioners ratifying or rejecting the same, and all
other papers relating thereto; and the said corporation shall
be liable for and tender the damages thus assured and deter-
mined to the persons entitled, or if rejectee!, to hold < the same
to his credit or for his use; and the said commissioners shall
have full power to assess and levy, either generally on the
whole assessable property of said town, or especially on the
property of persons so assessed to be benefited thereby, the
whole or any part of the amount of damages and expenses
that they shall ascertain will be incurred in locating, opening,
extending, straightening or closing up the whole or any part
of any street, lane or alley, in said town, and to collect the
same in the manner hereinbefore provided for the collection of
the general tax levy; provided, however, that, in opening or
extending avenues, streets and alleys, they shall be made to
conform in width and bearings and in all other respects with
those of the plat of the town of Ridgely, now upon record
in the office of the clerk of the Circuit Court for Caroline
County.

287

Opening and
closing
streets, etc.