T. WATKINS LIGON ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

411

CHAPTER 291.

AN ACT to authorise Thomas Johnson, senior, of
Worcester county, to introduce into this State and
hold certain negro slaves.

Passed
Mar. 10, 1854.

WHEREAS, it is represented to this General Assembly,
that negroes George and James, slaves for life of
Thomas Johnson, senior, ran away from their mas-
ter and are now desirous of returning to their said
master, on condition that they shall not be sold out
of the State; Therefore,

Preamble.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly
of Maryland, That in case the said negro slaves
George and James shall return to their said master
Thomas Johnson, senior, he shall have power to hold
the said slaves in the same manner as if they had never
ranaway and left the State.

Power to hold
the slaves.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That on the return
of said negroes to their said master, they shall not be
liable to be convicted on indictment under the act
passed at December session eighteen hundred and thir-
ty-eight, chapter sixty-three, entitled, an act to provide
for the recapture of fugitive slaves.

Upon return
not liable to
be convict-
ed.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That this act take effect
from its passage.

In force.