386

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

allow the separation of the same or the destruc-
tion of the Government of the United States under
any circumstances if in my power to prevent it, so
help me God.

To take ef-
fect.

Sec. 18. And be it enacted, That this act shall
take effect from the date of its passage, and shall
continue in force until the first (lay of March eigh-
teen hundred and sixty-six.

CHAPTER 285.

Passed Mar.
7, 1864.

AN ACT to provide for the reduction of the
amount of Stocks of the State now held to the
credit of the Sinking Fund.

Certificates
to be canceled.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted l)y the General Assem-
bly of Maryland, That the Treasurer be and he
hereby is directed in the presence of the Governor
and Comptroller on or before the first day of
April, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, to cancel
and destroy all bonds or certificates of the stock
of this State now held in his office to the cred-
it of the Sinking Fund, except one million of
dollars of the five per cent, stock, and the million
of dollars of said stock so to be retained, shall be
selected by the officers aforesaid, from the stocks
so held, having the longest time to run before
maturity.

Interest to
cc.ise.

Sec. 2. And be it enacted, That all further pay-
ment by the State, of interest upon the said bonds
or certificates, so as aforesaid required to be can-
celled and destroyed, shall be and the same here-
by is prohibited after the said first day of April,
eighteen hundred and sixty-four.

Not released
from liability.

Sec. 3. slnd be it enacted, That nothing herein
contained shall be construed to release or in any
manner diminish the liability or obligation of any
of the parties for whose benefit any portion of the
said stock was originally issued to pay to the State
either the principal or interest of said bonds.