1852.

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 316.

turn as far as practicable, of the situation and condition,
rights, credits and effects of the estates, they severally
have in charge as executors and administrators, and in
the case of guardians, the situation and condition, rights,
credits and effects of the estate and properly of their ward
or wards, and in the case of masters, the age and time

of service of their apprentices, and the conditions and
obligations mutually entered into by, binding upon
said several masters and apprentices.

Returns and
accounts to be
accompanied
by affidavit.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the said returns

and accounts, except in the case of masters shall be ac-
companied by the affidavit of the person or persons mak-
ing the panic, endorsed thereon that such account and
return is a full and complete account and return as far
as is practicable to make the same, of the situation and
condition of the estates or property they severally have,
in charge, as executors, administrators or guardians,
and in the case of masters, that said return is just and
true; which affidavit may be taken before the register of
wills, any judge of the Orphans' court or justice of the
peace of said county, or before said commissioner.

Duty of com-
missioner up-
on filing of ac-
count to give
notice to per-
sons interest-
ed.

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That it shall be the
duty of said commissioner upon the filing of any such
return or account with him, to give or cause to be given,
ten days notice in writing to all persons interested there-
in where such persons are known to him, and reside
within the county, by advertising in one or more of the
county papers, requiring them to appear before him in
person or by attorney, and show cause, if any they have,
why the said account and return should not be estab-
lished and binding upon all the parties interested.

Upon appear-
ance of par-
ties, commis-
sioner to ex-
amine and re-
ceive testimo-
ny.

SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That after notice shall

have been given as aforesaid, by the said commissioner,
and upon the appearance of the said parties before
him in person or by attorney, the said commissioner
shall proceed to examine the said returns and accounts,
and to hear and receive such testimony as shall be laid
before him touching the same, and shall thereupon and
therefrom, ascertain as far as practicable the correctness of
such accounts and returns, and in case the parties inter-
ested, upon notice as aforesaid, shall refuse or fail to
appear before said commissioner, the said commissioner
shall in their absence proceed to examine said returns
and accounts, and hear and take such testimony as may
be laid before him, and ascertain as far as practicable,
the correctness of such returns and accounts in the
same manner as if all parties interested had appeared in

Proviso.

conformity with the notice; Provided, that in all cases,
where infants are interested, the commissioner shall ap-