PHILIP F. THOMAS, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

1847.

consideration the benefits, and that such damages shall
be paid by the commissioners of Chestertown out of the
corporate funds of said town.

CHAPTER 203.

CHAP. 293.

An, act to incorporate the several Volunteer Companies in

this state.

Passed
March 2, 1848.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That from and after the passage of this act, all
uniformed volunteer companies in this State numbering
thirty-two active members, be and they are hereby declar-
ed to be bodies corporate by the name and style each may

Incorporated.

have agreeably to their constitutions, and by their respec-
tive names thus known, may sue and be sued, plead and
be impleaded in all and every courts of justice in this
State, or before any judge or justice, and may ordain, es-
tablish and enforce such bye-laws and regulations as to
them shall seem conducive to the interest of said com-
panies, and necessary to the good government and man-
agement thereof, the same not being contrary to the
existing laws of this State or of the United States.

Corporate

powers.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That nothing herein con-
tained shall be so construed as to authorise or empower
and corporations to issue any note, token or certifi-
cate or evidence of debt to be used as currency, and

Banking for-
bid.

that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to
deny the right to the General Assembly of Maryland
to repeal this act at pleasure.

Reservation.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted That each company hereby
incorporated, and that may be hereafter incorporated in
accordance with the provisions of this act, is authorised
to receive in addition to its regular complement of officers
and men, fifty contributing as honorary members who,
upon the payment of five dollars annually, shall be en-
titled to all the privileges and exemptions at present en-
joyed by the officers and men of the first light division of
Maryland volunteers; provided, that nothing in this act
shall exempt said honorary members from performing
flag duty.

Authorised to
receive hono-
rary members.

Proviso.