WILLIAM GRASON, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

1838.

more of the trustees aforesaid, that the remaining trus-
tees, or a majority of them, shall, with all convenient
speed, proceed to elect, by ballot, other discreet per-
son or persons, and of the same religious persuasion,
to be trustee or trustees to supply such vacancy or
vacancies, and in like manner shall all future vacancies
be supplied by said trustees and their successors, or a
majority of them, so as to perpetuate the number of
five persons as trustees of said institution forever.

CHAP. 375.

Sec. 4. And be it enacted, That it shall be the duty
of the aforesaid trustees to furnish themselves with a
book, in which they shall cause this act to be carefully
transcribed, and in a fair, plain hand writing to record
all and every new appointment of trustees that may
hereafter take place, to be done by them and their suc-
cessors forever.

CHAPTER 375.

Record directed.

An act entitled an act to prevent the transportation of
People of Colour, upon Rail Roads or in Steam Boats.

Passed April 4,
1839.

WHEREAS it has been represented to this General

Assembly that the owners of slaves in the State have

suffered great loss by the facilities of escape, afforded
to slaves by means of Rail Roads and Steam Boats,
therefore for remedy of said evil.

Preamble.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That it shall not be lawful for any slave to
be transported on any rail road, chartered by this
State, or any steamboat, tow-boat or other vessel nav-
igating the waters of this State, without a permission

Transportation of

slave without a

written permit,
forbid.

in writing from the owner of such slave, under the pen-
alty of five hundred dollars for every violation of this
act, to be recovered in the name of the State, from the
president, directors and company of said rail road, or
the owners or captain of said steamboat, tow-boat op
other vessel, as the case may be, by action of debt in
any of the courts of law of this State, one half whereof
shall be for the use of the informer, and the other half
for the use of the State.

Penalty $500.

Sec. 2. And be it enacted, That if any slave or slaves
shall escape from his or their owner or owners, by being

In case of escape

a slave.