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LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAPTER 292.

Passed
Mar. 10, 1854.

AN ACT for the further protection of Oysters in this

State.

Unlawful for
non-residents
of the State to
catch oysters.

Proviso.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly
of Maryland, That from and after the first day of
April next, it shall not be lawful for any person or per-
sons other than citizens of the State of Maryland, to
take, carry away, or otherwise destroy any oysters with-
in two miles of the shore of any of the waters of this
State; Provided, however, that nothing herein con-
tained, shall be construed to prevent citizens of other
States from Inking and carrying away oysters that they
may have legally purchased from citizens of this State.

Fine and for-
feiture.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That for every offence
committed against the provisions of this act, the offend-
er upon proof adduced before a justice of the peace of
this State, and upon conviction thereof, shall be sub-
ject to a fine of not less than five dollars, or more than
fifty dollars, to be levied upon the body, goods and
chatties of the said offender, and the said justice shall
adjudge and condemn us forfeited the boat or vessel in
possession of the party so offending, together with her
papers, furniture, tackel and apparel and all things on
board of her at the time of her seizure, and shall sell
the same to the highest bidder after ten days notice;

Proviso.

Provided, that no property shall be seized, and no
person arrested for a violation of the provisions of this
act, unless upon a warrant issued by some justice of
the State, upon the oath or affirmation of some citizen
thereof.

Power to ar-
rest.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the sheriffs of
the several counties bordering on the said waters, and
all constables and civil and military officers therein,
shall have full power to make arrests in accordance
with the provisions of this act for the violation thereof.