1846.

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 356.

Proviso.

Wilkins, Thomas Miller, Francis L. Wallis, Horatio

Beck, John Spencer, George W. T. Perkins, Thomas
C. Kennard, William S. Constable, John M. Comegys
and William H. Blackiston, and their successors, and all
other persons who may hereafter become members of the
corporation to be created by this act, are hereby created
and declared to be a body politic and corporate by the
name, style and title of the Mutual Protection Society of
Kent county, and by the same name shall have succes-
sion, and shall be able to sue and be sued, to implead and
be impleaded, answer and defend, and be answered and
defended in any and all courts of law or equity in this
State or elsewhere; to have, make and use a common
seal, and the same to break, alter and renew at their
pleasure, and shall have full power and authority mutu-
ally to protect and defend each other against loss of pro-
perty in slaves by their being enticed away, or absconding
from the service of their owners beyond the limits of the
State of Maryland; to provide for the keeping and in-
vestment of any funds or assets that may become the
property of the society, and generally to transact, exe-
cute and perform all such business as may appertain to a
mutual protection society, not being contrary to this act
or the constitution and laws of this State, or of the Uni-
ted States; provided however, that nothing in this act,
shall be construed to grant any banking privileges to the
said company, or the right to issue any note of the nature
of a bank note.

Secretary to
keep book.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That it shall be the duty of
the Secretary of said society to keep a book containing
a copy of this act and of the constitution and by-laws as
may be established by said society, and that all persons
who may wish to become members of the said society
shall be required to subscribe their names thereto, which
expression of consent, and the payment of such fees,
charges or premiums as may be demanded by the proper
officers of said society, shall constitute such persons
members thereof; and as such, shall be bound by all the
rules and regulations of said society as are contained in
this act and in the constitution and by-laws of said socie-
ty; and every person or persons whose slaves shall be
insured by this society, shall become members thereof
as already provided for.

Any member
nay withdraw.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That any member of the
said society shall have lull power and authority to with-
draw therefrom at any time by applying to the proper
officer thereof, and paying such fees or charges as may