1832.

LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAP. 225.

of him by this act, shall take an oath or affirmation, that he
will faithfully and impartially, according to the true intent
and meaning of this act, and to the best of his skill and
judgment, estimate and assess the damages, (if any) which
such owner or owners will suffer or sustain, by reason of

Directions in va-

luing

taking any such lands or tenements, for the use of the said
Canal, or navigation, and the locks, and works thereto be-
longing, or by any ways or means whatever; which oath or
affirmation, the said freeholders shall severally have author-
ity to administer to each other; and the said freeholders
shall proceed to view and examine the premises, and in as-
sessing damages shall take into consideration the advan-
tages to be derived from the said Canal, passing through

Report prescribed

the lands of such owner or owners; and having estimated
and ascertained the damages, (if any,) shall make a report,
under their hands and seals, or the hands and seals of a
majority of them, describing the lands by metes and bounds,
or other particular description, and stating the amount of
damages, (if any,) which such owner or owners will sus-
tain by reason of taking such lands or tenements for the
use of the said Canal or navigation and the locks or works
thereto belonging, or by any ways and means whatever, and
vesting the same in the said Company, which said report
shall be forthwith returned to the office of the clerk of said

Judgment of con-

firmation

county court, and judgment of confirmation shall be enter-
ed by the said court, unless good and sufficient cause be
shewn to the contrary; in which case the said court, in their

Or reconsideration

discretion may refer the matter back to the same freehold-
ers, or appoint other five freeholders to proceed in manner

Legal right vested.

aforesaid, and assess the damages, if any; and when judge
ment of confirmation upon any report, made as aforesaid,
shall be entered by the said court, then the said Lewis and
Pocomoke Canal Company, paying to such owner or own-
ers aforesaid, the damages assessed in such report afore-
said, or bringing the same into court for the use of such
owner or owners, and paying the costs of the said pro-
ceedings, shall take, have and hold to them, and their suc-
cessors and assigns, all and every, the lands described in
such report, as fully and effectually, as if the same had been
well and sufficiently granted to them by the several and
respective owners thereof, by any legal and perfect made of
conveyance and assurance whatsoever, and notwithstanding

Compensation to

commissioners

any of the disabilities aforesaid; each freeholder, appointed
as aforesaid, shall receive for every days attendance in the
performance of the duties hereby required of him (if regular
return be duly made) the sum of one dollar, with mileage,
at the rate of three cents per mile, going and returning;