1808.

NOVEMBER. LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. LIII.

Passed 23d of
Dec. 1808.

An additional supplement to the act to incorporate a company for
erecting a bridge over Chester river, at Chester-town.

Preamble.

WHEREAS it has been represented to this general assembly, that the commissioners appointed
to erect a bridge over Chester river, at Chester-town, have found it impracticable to dispose
of shares for that purpose, from the magnitude of the undertaking, and the uncertainty of the costs
and profits: And whereas it is now humbly prayed by a great number of the citizens of Kent and
Queen Anne's counties, that the commissioners may be enabled to raise the sum of ten thousand
dollars by a lottery, to be appropriated by said commissioners to aid in erecting said bridge: And
whereas it is desirable to encourage such undertakings, so promotive of the public conveniency;
therefore,

A scheme may
be proposed,
&c.

II. BE IT ENACTED, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the said commissioners now appoint-
ed, or hereafter appointed, according to law, or a majority of them, be and they are hereby autho-
rised to propose a scheme of a lottery to raise a sum of ten thousand dollars, free and clear of all
expenses, costs and charges, incurred in drawing said lottery, and to sell and dispose of the tickets
within the state of Maryland, or elsewhere, any law of this state to the contrary notwithstanding,
and to provide for drawing said lottery in Chester town, under such limitations as said commission-
ers, or a majority of them, may appoint and direct; provided such commissioners, or a majority of
them, as shall undertake to act under this law, shall, before the sale of any ticket or tickets, give
their joint and several bond to the state of Maryland, in the penalty of thirty thousand dollars, con-
ditioned that they will well and truly apply the monies arising therefrom, within sixty days after the
drawing of said lottery, to the payment of the prizes drawn therein to the adventurers to whom they
shall be due, and after deducting the necessary expenses in the management thereof, shall apply the
said ten thousand dollars to the erecting said bridge over Chester river.

Troops to pass
free, &c.

III. AND BE IT ENACTED, That during any war, after the erecting of said bridge, it shall be
lawful for any troops marching under the authority of the United States, or of this state, to pass

over said bridge free from toll.

Bridge may be
landed, &c,

IV. AND BE IT ENACTED, That the said commissioners be authorised to land said bridge at such
place on the Queen-Anne's shore as they may deem the most proper, and to connect it with the pub-
lic road, paying the proprietor for the value of said land such sum as may be ascertained by a jury,
convened by the sheriff of Queen-Anne's county for that purpose, unless they can agree with the
proprietor of said land for the same.

CHAP. LIV.

Passed 23d of
Dec. 1808.

A Further supplement to an act, entitled, An act for the better re-
gulation of apprentices.

Preamble.

WHEREAS by an act for the better regulation of apprentices, power is given to the justices of
the several orphans courts of this state, and in their recess to the trustees of the poor, or
any two justices of the peace, to bind out as an apprentice every orphan child, (the increase or profits
of whose estate, whether real or personal, is or are not sufficient for the maintenance, support or
education, of said child, ) to some manufacturer, mechanic, manner, handicraftsman, or other per-
son, at the discretion of said justices: And whereas by the said act no power is given to the justices
of the orphans court, trustees of the poor, or any two justices of the peace, to have such children
brought before them for the purposes aforesaid; therefore,

Justices, &c.
may issue a ci-
tation, &c.

II. BE IT ENACTED, by tie General Assembly of Maryland, That the justices of the several and re-
spective orphans courts of this state, and in their recess, the trustees of the poor, or any two jus-
tices of the peace, upon information, shall have power, and they are hereby authorised, empowered
and directed, to issue a citation to the sheriff or any constable of the county, to cause to be brought
before them respectively, the child or children of any pauper or vagrant, or the child or children of
lazy, indolent and worthless free negroes, and bind them out as apprentices, agreeably to the pro-
visions of the acts to which this act is a supplement; provided always, that the contract of appren-
ticeship so made shall be approved and recorded agreeably to the sixth section of the said law.