SAMUEL SPRIGG, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

1820.

Chesapeake bay, and for other purposes passed at November
session eighteen hundred and seven, be and the same is hereby
repealed.

CHAP. 199.

CHAP. CC.

An Act to establish a Patrol in Saint Mary's, Anne-Arundel, Prince George's,

and Charles Counties.

1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That
from and after the passage of this law, it shall and may be law-
ful for any justices of the peace for Saint Mary's, Anne-Arundel,
Prince-George's and Charles counties, upon application by three
or more judicious persons, to issue a requisition for as many in-
habitants now subject to militia duty, as they may think neces-
sary, not exceeding fifteen in any one company, to be denomina-
ted a patrol, the said justices of the peace to appoint two discreet
persons of the said patrol, under whose direction they shall pro-
ceed to make diligent search through the said neighbourhood or
district, as prescribed in the authority, for a period of not less
than four hours, nor more, than eight hours, and to disperse, all
unlawful and riotous assemblages of coloured persons, and to ap-
prehend and seize all negroes and slaves, or persons of colour,
whom they may have reason to suspect have unlawfully absented
themselves from home, or have illegally emigrated from another
state, or are in any manner violating the laws of this state.

Passed Feb. 16, 1821.

Two justices may
issue requisition
for patrol, &c.

2. And be it enacted, That it shall be the duty of the said pa-
trol, or as many of them as is necessary, as soon as convenient,
to take all persons whom they may apprehend as aforesaid, before
some justice, of the peace for the county for examination, and if
upon a full investigation and inquiry the said justice shall be of
opinion that such person has runaway from the service of his
master, or has illegally emigrated to this state, or has in any
manner violated the laws of this state, it shall he the duty of said
justice to commit such person to the county jail,) to be dealt with
according to law.

Duty of patrol.

3. And be it enacted, That if said patrol have reason to sus-
pect that any runaway negro slave, or person of colour, is
concealed or harboured in any dwelling or out house of any co-
loured person, within their search, it shall he the duty of such
patrol to demand of the owner or occupant of such house to be
admitted into the same, for the purpose of making search as
aforesaid, and if the owner or occupant shall refuse to suffer
such entry and search, it shall be lawful for such patrol,
to use all necessary force to effect the same, and in any ac-
tion of trespass, or other suit brought by any owner or oc-
cupant for any entry made in virtue of this act, the defendant
shall, on the general issue plea, have liberty to give the special
matter in evidence.

If there is rea-

son to suspect a
runaway to be
concealed in a
dwelling, &c to
demand admit-

tance, &c.

4. And be it enacted, That if any person named in such requi-
sition or patrol, on being duly notified and summoned by such
justice of the peace, or by their authority, shall neglect or re-
fuse to obey the same, every such person so offending, shall be
subject to pay a fine not exceeding five dollars, nor less than fifty
cents, to be recovered as other small debts out of court now are,
by warrant in the name of the state, and the money so arising to
be applied to the use of the commissioners of the school fund.

Penally for refus-
ing to obey requi-
sition.