JOHN FRANCIS MERCER, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR. NOVEMBER,

1802.

faithfulness they have most confidence; therefore, BE IT ENACTED, That where any number of
persons belonging to any church or congregation sufficient to build a church or house of worship,
and to maintain a minister, shall choose to separate from the church or congregation of which they
have hitherto been a part, and to erect a house of worship, and employ a minister for themselves,
it shall be lawful for them so to do, and they shall, by their respective name or style, to entitled to
all the benefits of this act as aforesaid, any thing in the act for the establishment of vestries for each
parish in this state to the contrary notwithstanding, provided only, that all arrears, debts and en-
gagements, contracted, due, or becoming due, while members of the former society, shall be punctu-
ally and faithfully discharged.

CHAP.
CXI.

Persons may
separate, &c.

XI. AND BE IT ENACTED, That so much of the aft for the establishment of vestries for eacti
parish in this state as coafers the powers of civil officers of the peace upon churchwardens, be and
the same are hereby dectared null and void,

Part of an act
dectared void.

XII. AND BE IT ENACTED, That this act shall not repeal any part of the act for the establish-
ment; of vestries for each parish in this state, except so far as the same is inconsistent with the tenth
and eleventh sections of this act.

Not to repeal a
former act, &c

XIII. AND BE IT ENACTED, That nothing herein contained shall be construed, adjudged or
taken, to abridge or affect the rights of conscience or private judgment, or in the least to alter or
change the religious constitution or government of any church, congregation or society, so far as
respects, or in anywise concerns, doctrine, discipline or worship.

CHAP. CXII.

Nor to affect
the rights of
conscience, &c.

A Supplement to the act, entitled, An act for the relief of sundry
insolvent debtors.

Passed 10th of
January, 1803.

WHEREAS the names of John Smith, of the city of Annapolis, William Finn and Benjamin
M. M'Caskey, of the city of Baltimore, insolvent petitioners, who are entitled to relief,
have not been inctuded in the act to which this is a supplement; therefore,

Preamble.

II. BE IT ENACTED, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the benefits resulting from the said
act shall be and are hereby extended to the said John Smith, William Finn and Benjamin M. M'Cas-
key, in as full and ample manner as if their names had been mentioned in the said act, provided that
they comply with the provisions of the same,

CHAP. CXIIL

Benefit extend-
ed, &c,

An ACT granting a loan of money to the trustees of Charlotte-Hall
school.

Passed 10th of
January, 1803,

WHEREAS it is represented to this general assembly, by the memorial of the trustees of Char-
lotte-Hall school, that from the number of pupils now at said school great inconvenience is
sustained from the want of necessary buildings, and particularly a residence tor the principal, and
they have prayed a loan of money from the state to obviate such difficulties, and promote the inte-
rest of a flourishing seminary; therefore,

Preamble

II. BE IT ENACTED, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the treasurer of the western shore
be and he is hereby directed to pay to the trustees of Charlotte-Hall school, or their order, on or
before the first day of April next, the sum of one thousand pounds, to be by said trustees applied
towards building the most convenient house in their judgment as a residence for the principal of the
said school, and for such other purposes as they may think most conducive to the interest and Wel-
fare of the same.

Treasurer to
pay, &c.

III. AND, that the said sum, when so paid, shall be returned by the trustees for the time being
in the course of ten years, with legal interest annually thereon, and to secure the repayment of the
sum aforesaid in the treasury of the western shore, BE IT ENACTED, That on the receipt of the
"same by the trustees of Charlotte-Hall school, or their order, the title to tlie whole of the real pro-
perty now belonging to said school shall be vested in the state of Maryland, subject to redemption
on the payment of the sum aforesaid, with legal interest annually thereon.

IV. AKD

Title to be
vested, &c.