WILLIAM GRASON, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

1839.

such apprentice to serve such further time, after the expi-
ration of the period for which such apprentice may be
bound, as will compensate the master or person entitled
to the service, for all loss occasioned by such running

CHAP. 35.

away, including expenses of recaption; and said county
court shall have full power to authorize the master of such
absconding apprentice to sell him or her, and for the
whole period he or she may have to serve, to any person

To sell.

within this State; provided, the said county court shall be
satisfied that such apprentice was not induced to run away
by the ill treatment, or fraud, or contrivance of the master.

Proviso.

SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That any constable, or the
sheriff of said county, shall serve any process issued by

child or children of any free negro or mulatto before such
court; and in the service of such process, shall arrest and
carry such child or children before such court on the day

To serve pro-

cess.

named in such process; and the officer serving such pro-
cess shall receive two dollars, and the court binding such
apprentice, shall receive one dollar; and the said sums
shall be paid by the person to whom the child may be
bound as an apprentice.

Compensation.

SEC. 6. And be it enacted, That, upon the death of the
master or his assignee, the property and interest of said
master or assignee shall pass to the widow, if there be a
widow of such deceased master or assignee, if no widow,
then to the executor or administrator of said master or his

Property to pass

to widow, &c.

assignee; provided, that no child be bound under this act,
if the parent or parents have the means and are willing to
support such child and keep the same employed, so as to
teach habits of industry; and provided, that in binding
out as aforesaid, those persons shall be preferred as mas-
ters who may be selected by the parents, if there be any,
and if not, by the children, if the person selected by them
be approved by the court.

Provisoes.