T. WATKINS LIGON, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

283

CHAPTER 161.

AN ACT to amend and explain an act relating to
free negroes in Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne's
counties, passed at December session 1849, chap-
ter 538.

Passed Mar.
8, 1856.

WHEREAS, many of the Farmers, and others, resid-
ing in the third election district in Kent and parts
of Cecil county, are in the habit of and under the
necessity of employing free negroes, on their farms
and in other occupations; and whereas, the said
act has been construed by many to prevent free
negro servants from being sent out of the State, in
the necessary business of the employer, to remedy
which and to remove all grounds of apprehension.

Preamble.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly
of Maryland, That the said act of Assembly, shall
not embrace in its prohibition, any free negroes in
Kent or Cecil counties, who are employed by any
farmer or farmers, or who hire by the month or year;
Provided, that such free negroes, may be sent out of
the State of Maryland, by his, or her, bona fide em-
ployer, or agent of said employers, on business of
such employer, and for thus going out and returning
to the State, shall not be liable to the penalties or
punishment inflicted by the said act, or the act of
December session 1839, chapter 38, or any other act
imposing a penalty on free negroes leaving the State
and returning thereto; Provided, that he or she
shall not remain out of the State at any one time
longer than ten days.

Exempt from
the provisions
of act.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That this act shall
take effect from its passage.

In force.