t liberty to rescue them.--If distress be made for
rent, and the goods are not replevied within five days after the
distress is made, and notice left on the premises stating the cause of
such distress, the person distraining may have the goods appraised by
two persons, sworn by the constable of the place for that purpose, and
may after such appraisement sell them to the best advantage. The rent
may then be taken, including all expences, and the overplus left in the
hands of the constable for the owner's use. If a landlord commit an
unlawful act or any other irregularity, in making distress for rent
which is justly due, the distress itself will not on that account be
deemed unlawful; but full damages may be demanded by the injured party,
with full costs of suit; either in an action of trespass, or on the
case. But if full recompense be tendered to the tenant for such trespass
before the action is commenced, he is bound to accept it, or the action
will be discharged.--If a tenant clandestinely remove his goods, to
prevent the landlord from distraining them for rent, he may seize the
goods within thirty days, wherever they shall be found; and if not
actually sold previous to the seizure, he may dispose of them in order
to recover his rent. Any tenant or assistant removing goods to prevent a
distress, is liable to double the value of the goods, which the landlord
may recover by action at law. If under the value of fifty pounds,
complaint may be made in writing to two neighbouring magistrates, who
will enforce the payment by distress, or commit the offenders to the
house of correction for six months. If any person after the distress is
made, shall presume to remove the goods distrained, or take them away
from the person distraining, the party aggrieved may sue for the injury,
and recover treble costs and damages against the offender.--A landlord
may not break a lock, nor open a gate; but if the outer door of the
house be open he may enter, and break open the inner doors. But where
goods are fraudulently removed, and locked up to prevent their being
seized, the landlord may break open every place where they are and seize
them. If in a dwelling house, an oath must first be made before a
magistrate, that is was suspected the goods were lodged there. The most
eligible way is to remove the goods immediately, and to give the tenant
notice where they are removed to; but it is usual to leave them under
the protection of a person on th