1837.

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 265.

between the said Alexander Donoho, and the said
Commissioners of Somerset county, who have been sub-
stituted for said levy court, touching the building of
the said bridge across Law's Thoroughfare, in Somer-

Regardless of

technicalities.

set county, and ......... during all the circumstances
in relation therein, and ........all the allegations and
proofs of both parties, the said judges of Somerset
county court, discarding all objections to the validity
of the said contract, for the building of the said bridge,
and all other objections merely technical, shall decide
what sum of money the said Alexander Donoho is en-
titled to, in equity and good conscience, for the build-
ing of the said bridge, and the said judges shall certi-

Certify their
decision.

fy their decision, and the sum by them awarded to be
paid to the said Alexander Donoho for the building of
the said bridge to the commissioners of Somerset coun-
ty, who are hereby authorised and required immediate-
ly on the said award being made known to them, to

Payment direc-
ted.

pay, or cause to be paid, out of the public funds of the
said court, the amount of said award, to the said Alex-
ander Donoho, or his legal representative, unless the
said commissioners should be of opinion that the im-
mediate payment thereof would be prejudical to the
public interest, and in that case the said commission-

Postponement
authorised.

ers may postpone the payment, not exceeding twelve
months, and pay or cause to be paid interest on the
amount of said award, at and after the rate of six per

Notice required.

centum, per annum, provided however, before the said
judges of Somerset county court shall entertain the
petition of the said Alexander Donoho, the said judges
shall be satisfied by such proof as they may require,
that the said Alexander Donoho hath given at least
three weeks notice in writing to the said commission-
ers of his intention to apply for the benefits of this
act.

Proceedings au-
thorised.

Sec. 2. And be it enacted, That both of the said
parties may appear and be heard before the said judges
by counsel, or otherwise, and it shall be the duty of
the said judges to cause to come before them by pro-
cess of summons and attachments, as in other cases, all
such witness or witnesses, as may be required by either
party, and the said judges may in their discretion,

cause issue or issues to be framed and tried by the