88

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

curity for the faithful performance of such contract or
contracts that may be entered into.

CHAPTER 72.

Passed Mar.
6, 1856.

AN ACT to authorise William T. G. Polk, admin-
istrator of Arnold Cottman, free negro, to execute
a deed of manumission for certain slaves therein
mentioned.

Preamble.

WHEREAS, it is represented to this General Assem-
bly of Maryland, that a certain Arnold Cottman,
free negro of Somerset county, deceased, was in
his lifetime possessed of certain slaves who wore
his wife and children; and whereas, the said Arnold
departed this life intestate, without any legal rep-
resentatives, by reason of which the whole of his
personal estate, after payment of debts and expen-
ses of administration, hath devolved upon the State
of Maryland.

Authorised to
execute a deed
of manumis-
sion.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That William T. G. Polk, administrator of the said
Arnold Cottman, be and he is hereby authorized and
empowered to execute a deed of manumission for the
said negro slaves, belonging to the estate of the said
Arnold, to be acknowledged and recorded as other deeds

Provisos.

of manumission; Provided, nevertheless, that nothing
herein contained shall be construed in any wise to
effect the rights of any administrator of said Arnold,
or the claim of the said William T. G. Polk, for his
commission, expenses of administration and trouble;
and Provided also, That the said negroes when eman-
cipated, shall be subject to all the provisions of the
act entitled, "an act relating to the people of color of
this State, passed at December session, eighteen hun-
dred and thirty-one."